CARGO SHIFTS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19986, 22 July 1930, Page 11

CARGO SHIFTS.

ASTORIA DELAYED IN REACHING PORT. (fbsss association tbleohak.) NEW PLYMOUTH, July 21. The strange movements of the Danish motor-ship Astoria were explained when the vessel berthed at Piew Plymouth at 12.40 p.m to-day, 24 hours overdue from Auckland. The ship, lightly laden with phoephate from the Islands and cargo loaded at Auckland, appeared in the offing at midday on Sunday and approached port in a heavy sea and stiff gale. Preparations were made for berthing, but the ship suddenly changed her cour. c an>3 disappeared to sea at full speed. Harbour officials were surprised but thought the ship possibly was not the At o o'clock on Sunday evening the agents received a wireless message from the Astoria stating that she was anchored at sea awaiting the moderation of the weather. At noon to-day the vessel entered the port and berthed. _ It is understood that as the Aatoria was about to enter on Sunday the heayy swell caused the oil cargo to shift. Captain Heisterhurg found it necessary to make for the open sea and continue steaming to minimise the roll while the c ® r JP being righted as there was a danger of the oil barrels bursting and damaging the cargo. Early the shin was approach ing the shore when the cargo again shifted. IM sea moderatea considerably, however, and the ship returned to the harbour at noon This was eood fortune as the sea this evening has again nsen considerably under the influence of a strong northerly