SHIPPING WEATHER-BOUND

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 263, 26 July 1918, Page 8

SHIPPING WEATHER-BOUND

COOK STRAIT STILL ItOUGH.

Late last night Captain Fisk, of the tVaverley, which had arrived here in 23 hours from Patea, reported that, ho found the weather generally was worse near the Strait than higher up the coast, ihe trip from the north was mado against heavy seas and a strong southerly gale. The weather, hoivover, was clear. The Hawera also arrived last night from Patea, covering the distance in about tho same time. Several coasters aro still in port, boing held back solely on account of the weather.

Before eight o'clock yesterday morning the Blenheim had left port for Haveiock, Kencpurn, and Polorus Sounds. On tlio previous morning the ship, had been'unsuccessful in her efforts against the high seas. An endeavour to clear Wellington for'L.vttelton was made yesterday afternoon by the K'arn, but as a high eea was running the ship waa not put to the test of pushing on her way, and anchored in Worser Hay at 5.80 p.m. She has been at the wharves since Sunday. Telephono communication from Titahi Bay was received yesterday by Messrs. G. T. Hull and Co. Captain Harwick reported that tho John had attempted to get to "Wellington in the morning, but little headway was. made, and she is short of coal. She returned to the bay.

With a further improvement to-day in the weather conditions that were lightening at Napier yesterday it is hoped to dispatch the Rosamond for Wellington. The small steamer Koutunui is to sail for Wellington via coast stations wl|en the weather breaks.

Table Cape, Maliiu, was yesterday morning still a haven of refuge from the rough weather nnd considerable seas. A telegram received says that the liipplo was at anshor there. The length of tho delay lias caused to be abandoned this week's trip to the coast. Vessels bound southward are making protracted trips, as the undermentioned steaming limes show:—Between Wellington and Lyttelton the Hinemoa took 27 hours and the Himitaugi 36 hours.

Since their departure on Saturday tho two small schooners, Gisboriifl and " May Howard, have not been reported. They are bound for Ennedin. The Wootton, which loft Wellington on Saturday, was subsequently forced to shelter behind Cape Campbell on Sunday, where she was on Wednesday. A Union Company's collier which left Wellington on Saturday arrived at Lyttelton ..n Monday evening, baring experienced the fill! force of wind and sea. On Sunday sho was obliged to shelter at Cape Campbell. The tug Lyttelton agisted her to berth. Knikoura, an exposed port, has not been workable for nwtrljr a week. The Wakntu is waiting at Wellington for « favourable report to sail. Tho 'Piitikl had not arrived at Timaru from Wellington yesterday.