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114 Next morning there was no sign of the Wild Wave, which, however, hove into sight two days later, when another attempt was made to reach the little vessel, but without avail. On the following day he and Townshend decided to walk along the beach towards the Grey as the schooner appeared to be sailing in that direction. Two days later they reached their destination, and found the Wild Wave standing on and off the bar, which was very rough. The heavy seas continued until June 8th when the schooner managed to work the river entrance, after having a very narrow escape from being wrecked on the north beach. The Wild Wave was thus the third vessel to enter the Grey, not the first as generally stated. A start was at once made to erect the depôt, which was situated on the south bank of the river almost opposite Johnston Street, the actual site now being covered by twenty-five feet of water. This building was without doubt the first erected south of the Buller, and in Westland.

By way of a further interlude, it is essential to chronicle here an outstanding incident in Old Westland coastal history, for at this time the schooner Gipsy (Dixon, master) actually successfully entered the treacherous Taramakau, the first and only vessel ever to do so. This roaring river which was mistaken for the Grey was prospected during the little vessel’s