An item reported that the whaling bark William Lee of Newport had to enter Paita, Peru on the 5th needing repairs. In January 1859 she was pierced by a swordfish in the starboard bow two feet under water and repaired at Tecamas. Just ten days after her departure was she on 7th May again pierced by a swordfish though copper, sheathing and oak with a total thickness of nearly 8“. Natives of Easter Island discovered the leak 7 feet under water. With both pumps standby was Paita reached with the leak with plugs, blankets and cotton provisional stopped.(1)
Note
1. Tonnage 134 tons, captain Martin, shipping agent Heman Smith, departed on 17 May 1859 towards the Atlantic
