MAHENO IN A GALE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1095, 6 April 1911, Page 4

MAHENO IN A GALE.

EXCITING EXPERIENCE. Passengers by tho Union liner Mahcno,, which arrived from New Zcalaud last week, had an exciting experience during tho gale raging off the Australian Coast on Thursday night. The Jlahcno ran into the gale on Thursday, The wind, which had been moderate since leaving Auckland, suddenly shifted to the west-.south-west at midday, and increased to a storm of great fury. A heavy sea accompanted tho storm, and at midnight on Thursday, without any warning, a. big wave broke over the ship. It fell. on. dock with all the force of an avalanche, and played havoc with cabin fittings; also ■ smashing some deck gear, and causing a lot of other damage. Tho vessel took a heavy list to leeward owing to tho big weight of water, _ and there was some alarm, but. she quickly recovered herself, and all hands at once .set to work to straighten things up again. It wa's found on examination that six of the cabin windows on the saloon deck were smashed, the fittings being completely wrecked. A family of three in ono cabin were cut about Hie hands ana face by falling glass, but not seriously. All the rabins, also the alleyways, were more or less flooded. A quantity of water also found its way through tho cabin, skylight into the social hall, and Uvi3 was quieklv baled out with buckets. Mr. L. 0." Donald, a passenger, describes the experience' as most exciting. Tho wave, lie said, broke high over the promenade deck, and crashed down v.ith terrific force, wrecking cabins No. 14 to '20, and flooding alleyways, smoking-room, and main saloon. Passengers were kneedeep in water. Cnptain Livingstone and his officers did everything possible for their safety, and they were soon mado comfortable auain. Mr. George Dean, a passenger, did splendid work. When the sea flooded the cabins Mr. Dean hurried to the assistance of the ladies, and carried them clear of (ho wreckage. Tho ship's stewards also worked well; in fact, Mr. Donald says that the ship's company did everything possible for the welfare of the frightened 'passengers. Yi'irth's Circus travelled by the Makeno from Auckland. During the rough weather several of the horses were knocked down on deck, but not seriously injured.