THE UPOLU.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 197, 21 August 1899, Page 4

THE UPOLU.

A ROUGH TRIP;

BKIDGE AND WHEEL-BOX

DAMAGED,

The steamer Upolu, from Westport, which was • reported passing Capo Maria on Friday morning and Russell on Saturday afternoon, arrived early yesterday morning after a- very-long and stormy passage of seven sikL& half days. ' '.'. ■ , • -' ..: The Upolu left Westport. for Aw&. land at L3O p.in, on Saturday, l|ih inst, and had tine weather and smooth, seas until ; next The Wind then freshened, and by the. afternoon a south-easterly gale, accompanied by a heavy beam sea, was blowing. The gale continued to rise through the night, while the seas also increased, breaking on board the steamer. ~

At 3.30 a.m. on Monday last a very heavy sea came on board, smashing the wheel-box aft. All through the day seas were taken on board, •while the steamer laboured heavily. The gale continued to increase and the seas were running- mountains high. On the 13th, 14th arid 15th, during the height V>f. the gale, the ,Upolu was hove to frequently, it being estimated that on those three days forty hours were so spent. \-. |

At 7.30 p.m. on the 14th another exceptionally heavy sea broke on board, carrying- away and twisting the stanchions and smashing, the bridge. By midnight the weather had mode* rated' slightly, though the gale wa3 still violent and the sea heavy. The snme weather was experienced next day, and the steamer made a little headway with the engines at full speed. ' ' . . , . . ~•, ■ At 9.25 a.m. on Wednesday last Reef Point was abeam, and ! for twelve hours the steamer lay on . and off, Several attempts were made to get as far as the lighthouse; in order that the vessel might -'"'ie reported,, as Capt. Beaumont knew that anxiety.would be felt for her saiety. ' Beef Point %;as left at 9.30 p.tn., and [after,a Vbattle with the wind and waves' the tfpblu managed to get near en.pti|rh ; and Signalled the' • iigh\ ■ -&&f^'%^sj^t them all well. Great disappointment was felt when the1 reply was. received that communication Sjfeaa <Jts.t?QSPsfl* The gale increased, and .was ' a'tocb'Tfr> panied by sleet and mist, completely obscuring the land. No progress could be made, and the vessel' ran. back under Reef Point for shelter,! , ... ,

The gale then moderated, and another start was made, and Cape Mafia Van Dieman was passed at 5 a.m. on Friday. It took five hours to get to the North Cape, passed' at 2 p.m. , The weather had then somewhat moderated, but there was such.a terrible sea rimning that it was neces- v sary to reduce the speed, and tfie steamer ran down the coast under easy steam. It was not till after the Poor Knights were passed thai the engines were put at full speed. The sea became less as the harbour was neared, and the vessel berthed at 4 a.m. yesterday, after a very trying .% trip.