IN CYCLONE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 4, 5 January 1934, Page 2

IN CYCLONE.

FREIGHTER NARBADA.

THREE LASCARS INJURED. MINOR DAMAGE ON DECK. Three Lascars working on the foredeck received minor injuries, the fo'c'sle head awning spars were carried aivav, and two ventilators were smashed on the promenade deck during a cyclone experienced off the Queensland coast by tlio Union Steam Ship f'o.'s Eastern freighter Narbada, which dropped anchor in tho stream at 9.30 this morning, 'two days late,' on her voyage from Calcutta. During tho hurricane the vessel had to be slowed down so much that in one full day she covered only 41 miles, the rate being 1.7 knots. The steamer's normal speed approximates 200 miles a day. Passengers said this morning that they had had "a terrible dust up," but all were unanimous that the Narbada is a wonderful sea boat. "The pilot who went ashore off Brisbane told us that we were lucky to be in such a seaworthy ship," said one. "Although the wind was terrific, and seas were breaking over us for two days, the Narbada appeared to plough steadily on without rolling or pitching to anything like the extent one expected. We were all very thankful when we ran out of the storm." Deck officers of the Narbada are all enthusiastic about the behaviour of their ship. "She was eased down, and she shipped very little water," said one. Inside Great Barrier Reef. The Narbada, with a full cargo, left Calcutta on December 4, arriving at Singapore eight days later to replenish her bunkers. Leaving that port on December 13, she arrived off Thursday Island on December 23. The weather was calm, but dull and rainy. A pilot was taken on board for the run down the coast inside the Great Barrier Reef, south-easterly winds being experienced. On the evening of December 27 the weather changed, and by noon on the following day an E.S.E. gale was blowing, with force 9-10, and high seas were running. Instructions went to the engine room to ease down, and for the 24 hours from noon on December 28 to noon on December 29 the distance recorded was 41 miles, but the next day, while still eased down, the run was 138 miles. During the height of the gale a heavy sea broke on the fore deck. Three Lascar members of the crew were struck by the wave and thrown down, but beyond a severe shaking and a few minor abrasions they received no harm.. About the same time the awning spars on the fo'c'sle were carried away and the two ventilators broken off. The weather moderated on the evening of December 29, ana on the afternoon of the following day, when tho pilot was dropped at Cape Moreton, conditions were normal. Good weather was experienced for the remainder of the run, with the exception of a confused swell for a few days. As the Narbada had full hatches when leaving Calcutta, the usual calls at Penang and Samarang were omitted. The vessel had no deck cargo and brought no birds or animals. Her passengers numbered nine.