THROUGH A HURRICANE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 246, 17 October 1925, Page 11

THROUGH A HURRICANE.

CARGO STEAMER'S VOYAGE. HOVE-TO IN THE PACIFIC. MINOR DAMAGE CAUSED. Hove-to in a raging hurricane when a week out from Los Angeles, the American cargo steamer, West Calera, which arrived at Auckland this morning, was badly buffeted by heavy seas which continually broke over the vessel and caused minor damage. Doors were ripped from their fastenings, ventilators damaged, and cabins and alleyways flooded, but the freighter stood the test well and was able to resume her course when the storm abated.

The West Calera. which is a unit of the Swayne and Hoyt Line's fleet of cargo steamers which trade between the Pacific coast and New Zealand and Australian ports, loaded her present cargo of lumber, case oil, and general merchandise at Pacific coast ports and took her final loading at San Pedro, the port of Los Angeles. She took her departure fon Auckland on September 21, being under the command of Captain J. H. Hansen.

Favourable weather was experienced during the first five days of the voyage, but on September 27 a change in the conditions appeared likely. During the afternoon of the same day the weather became more threatening and rough seas were encountered. At 9.40 p.m. tbe vessel was meeting a hard gale, and her speed was reduced. The conditions soon became worse and at 10.12 p.m. Captain Hansen decided to heave to. An effort was made to keep the vessel's head to the storm, but the high confused seas made the task a difficult one. The wind was now blowing a hurricane and heavy rain was falling.

Lifeboats Lifted from Chocks. A number of big seas were shipped over the vessel's starboard side and the decks were continually flooded. During the storm the West Calera rolled steadily, but performed well. A ventilator on the starboard side, leading to No. 4 hold, whs carried away and a quantity of the lumber cargo was thrown out of position. Two boats on tho steamer's' starboard side were washed out of their chocks, but escaped serious damage. No. 1 lifeboat was pulled up by the railing on the boat deck, while No. 3 boat came to rest against the side of tho radio house. The canvas boat covers were torn to ribbons and the boats were filled with water. All loose gear in the lifeboats was washed overboard by the seas. Two fire-bucket racks, with their sets of buckets, shared tho same fate as the boat covers, being swept over the side. The racks were carried on the boat deck. Cabins and Galley Flooded.

When the rear door of the 'midship alleyway on the starboard side was lifted bodily from its hinges and washed away, quantities of water swept along the passageway and flooded the t bins and galley. 1„ sonic of tbe rooms tho water was several inches deep. The door at tho forward etui of this aßevway was stove in and further quantities of water were shipped, the cabins ao- a in being flooded. On the after end of the bridge deck several scupper pipes were damaged.

Several boards on the lower bridge and more tarpaulins were the next to be earned away and about niidnio-ht tne electric lights amidships and the vessel s running lights were put out of order. Thus for a time a number of the cabins were in darkness. A particularly violent blast of wind proved too much for the steamer's wireless aerials which were blown down, the radio plant being rendered useless.

Steering Gear Damaged. The weather then improved slightly and for a time it appeared that the worst of the storm was over. About two o'clock in the morning of September 2S, however, the wind again commenced to blow with hurricane force and further quantities of water were shipped. The Hooding seas caused minor damage on deck, and following the smashing of a ventilator on the poop deck water found its way into the crew's quarters. At three o'clock a heavy sea came aboard and damaged the hand and steam steering gear. Towards daybreak, however, the storm showed signs of moderating and the West Calera rode out the remainder of the blow without further mishap. By ten o'clock tho same morning, she was aide to resume her course, no damage affecting the ship's running having been caused.

During the remainder of the voyage favourable weather was encountered and the trip was completed without incident. The work of repairing the damage wa-s carried out. On arrival at Auckland this morning the West Calera showed but few signs of tli? buffeting she bad received and entered tlie port in that spick and span condition which is the rule of tho Svvayne and Hoyt Lino traders. The steamer, which is to proceed from Auckland to southern nnd Australian ports, is berthed at the Central Wharf.