A SENSATIONAL EXPERIENCE.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXVII, Issue 1546, 3 May 1901, Page 6

A SENSATIONAL EXPERIENCE.

Tho s.s. rlapourikahad a sensational experience shortly after leaving Wellington for Nelson on Huntiay night. Wliea just outside tlie heads a phenomenally heavy sea or tidal wave, about 25ft high, struck the vessel on-theport bow and swept ovot her, making a wreck of everything moveable on the fore (lack and amidships. Tho time was 5.40 and tho passengers were at tea Tho t sea, striking tho saloon bulkhead, shattered the thick glass of two portholes, through which the water poured and completely flooded the dining saloon from end to end. The tables were swept of their contents and several passengers were cut by pieces of glass. Women screamed and one or two fainted. Tho passengers thought the vessel was going to founder, and tho few minutes that followed were moments of intense anxiety and excitement-. Alter the wave passed there were 110 further heavy seas and tho rest of tho trip was fairly smooth. A great deal of damage was done about the fore deck, the ratlines being cut to a height of nearly 30ft, whilst the deck cargo, consisting principally of kerosene, was completely wrecked. Several seats wero carried away, and the window of tho chart house was smashed. The damage aft was not great, the sea merely shifting things about. One of the funnel guys was 'carried away. It is considered certain that had one of tho smaller steamers encountered the sea she would have foundered.