AWATEA’S ROUGH CROSSING

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22376, 13 April 1938, Page 12

AWATEA’S ROUGH CROSSING

HEAVY STORM IN THE

TASMAN

LINER REACHES AUCKLAND TWENTY-FOUR HOURS LATE

(TUB PRESS SptCUt Service. l

AUCKLAND, April 12,

After battling for more than three <luys against the wildest storm she has yet met in the Tasman Sea, the Onion Steam Ship Company's liner \watea arrived from Sydney early h : s morning, 24 hours behind schedule. V. though agreeing that the ship had behaved splendidly, and that every- . thing had been done to make them comfortable, most of the 300 passengers were extremely thankful that the voyage was at an end. According to the matter, Captain A. H. Davey, the bad weather which he reported by radio ’ telephone on Sunday night continued until Monday. Although the wind and seas gradually abated, there was a heavy swell: but in spite of this speed was gradually increased, and by 4 p.m. that day the vessel was proceeding at her normal rate. Only 210 miles were steamed between noon on Saturday and noon on Sunday, compared with (he normal distance for 24 hours of about 500 miles. Captain Davey said that when the storm was at its worst, speed had to be reduced to five knots. ' At times the vessel pitched heavily, and great green seas were shipped. As a result of a particularly heavy sea. which struck the vessel at 5.15 p.m. on Sunday, minor damage was done to the forecastle, and pipe covers and capstan gratings were carried away. In addition, three thick windows on the bridge were broken, one being 65ft above sea level. The passengers have vivid recollections of this incident, for the ship seemed to be momentarily plunged into darkness. One woman who had been several times round the world admitted that for the first time she had been afraid on board a ship. Passengers who had made many former sea journeys said it was the worst they had known. Many passengers remained in their cabins for practically the entire crossing, although others who had remained below during the early stages gained their sea-legs as the vessel approached the New Zealand coast. Considering, the conditions, however, a surprisingly large number were present at all meals, and took part in the various entertainments provided on the ship.