STORMS IN PACIFIC.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18397, 2 June 1925, Page 8

STORMS IN PACIFIC.

' CABLE STEAMER'S ROUGH VOYAGE. (SPECIAL TO "THE PBESS.") . AUCKLAND, June 1.. The exceptionally low barometer at Auckland during the past two weeks is no doubt due, to the effect of the cyclonic storms which have been raging in the South Pacific. I The Pacific Cable Board's steamer Iris, which arrived at Auckland from. Norfolk Island yesterday, experienced stormy weather almost from the time she left Auckland until her return. The. Iris sailed from Auckland at 9 a.m.' on May 20th, and at midday next day a hard cyclonic gale was encountered. The wind blew in furious squalls, accompanied by rain and high, confused seas. The cyclonic nature of the storm was indicated by the wind, which commenced from the. north, and, afterblowing from all points in the western semi-circle of the compass, finished in the south-east.

In order to avoid crossing the centre of the cyclone, the Iris ran eastward ft>r 36 hour's. Eventually Norfolk Island was reached on Sunday, May 24th, and repair work to the' cable was commenced next day. The fault was located about two miles from the shore, Where the cable had been badly chafed on the rocky bed of the ocean, The cable was lifted to the surface, and after the damaged portion had been cut away, two miles of new cable were fitted in. the grip between the shore and'the sea ends. ' The boisterous weather conditions at Iho island delayed the work, which was completed at nooii on Wednesday,. Und the same evening the Iris left fo? Auckland. Stormy weather was encountered that night, and at 10 a.m. next day the vessel was hove-tb in a hard east-riortli-east gale, which blew with severe violence for-30 hours, accompanied by high mountainous seas. The wind moderated at rioon Friday sufficiently to allow the Iris to get under way againj but a moderate gale and high seas prevailed almost all the way to Auckland. ( In spite of the severe buffeting the Iris received during the stormy conditions she proved very buoyant, and did not receive any damage.