STORMY VOYAGE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 273, 30 August 1933, Page 6

STORMY VOYAGE.

TUG CROSSING THE TASMAN, (Special to the " Guardian.") WELLINGTON, August 29. The experiences of the crew of the tug Theresa Ward, which encountered stormy weather almost throughout her recent voyage from the Bluff to Sydney, were related by Mr G. Clarke, one of'the little vessel's company, who returned by the Wanganella to-day. Mr Clark said the decks were awash from the second day out until the end of the voyage. Considering the weather, the Theresa Ward proved herself a splendid sea boat. At the height of the storm the conditions were so bad that several members of the crew feared that the ship might founder; but she rode out the heavy seas without damage'. A drum of oil was lashed to the side,* and a hole was made in it, allowing the oil to escape. This had the effect of calming the seas; but, .even so, the voyage was by no means a comfortable one.

"The cook had a particularly unpleasant task," said Mr Clarke. "The seas were continually invading the galley, and his fire was extinguished no fewer than five times. Two carcases of meat which were hanging on the deck were washed off the hooks and could not be eaten, and for the greater part of the voyage tinned food was used. "Walking along the deck was a hazardous matter, since there was always a danger that a big sea would s'.veep the deck and carry one overboard. The storm lasted for about five days, during which the Theresa Ward was driven considerably more than 100 miles out of her course.

"Only 40 hours' good weather was experienced during the voyage. One of the rudder chains broke on the fourth day out," said Mr Clarke, "and it was several hours before repairs were completed. In the meantime the vessel was helpless, and rolled violently in. the heavy ,seas. By the time the tug reached Sydney everything on deck was smothered in oil and the, upper works were encrusted with salt. Nobody on board had much sleep during the storm—as a matter of fact, sleep was practically out of the question, owing to the vessel's liveliness."