STIRRING VOYAGE

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 198, 19 May 1930, Page 11

STIRRING VOYAGE

BEULAH’S NARROW ESCAPE

DAMAGE BY SHIFTING CARGO

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Rec. May 18, 5.5 p.m.) Apia, May 16. The captain of the motor-vessel Beulah states distinctly that unusual weather developed and big seas came aboard, the vessel rolling in a long swell. There was a north-west wind, with periodical blinding squalls from the south-west.

Through the night of April 24 the Beulah wallowed m the swell, which at daybreak became worse. At seven o’clock in the morning there came a crash. The Beulah was riding on top of a swell. Suddenly the deck cargo shifted with a smashing, crunching noise to port. There was a tremendous strain on the lashings and the vessel, on her beam ends, lay over for a quarter of un hour with the sea washing her decks. The big weight of five cases of motorvars and benzine and kerosene prevented the vessel from rising to an even keel, the water finding its way below decks. When the Beulah showed no signs of righting, a section of the crew became alarmed and rushed the lifeboats.

The position was without question dangerous and a matter of importance was to save the ship and lives of the crew. There appeared to be no way out but to dump the deck cargo. The engines were slowed and quick work followed.

Engineer Bromberg with a hacksaw cut the steel lashings and released the cargo. The- cars sank rapidly. Oil drums and the ship’s boat, which was carried with them, floated and drifted. Relieved of. the weight, the Beulah slowly rose and immediately listed to starboard in a critical condition. For fear that the cargo below had shifted there were several minutes’ suspense 'for the crew. However, the vessel gave a favourable move and righted. Inspection showed that on the port side the immense weight; of the deck cargo had bulged the bulwarks two feet outwards for a length of twenty feet, as well as other damage. The danger was not past. The sea was strewn with benzine drums, and the captain feared a live spark might ignite a leaXy drum. The vessel moved to leeward of the floating drums. The ship’s boat was found two miles away in an unusable condition. Having no wireless, the captain made for Fanning Island, which was reached at seven o’clock on the evening of May 7, to report to the owners. He then proceeded to Apia, arriving on Wednesday. The crew included twenty-four men from Samoa.

The captain highly praises the work of Engineer Bromberg, who at great ,risk undertook to cut the lashings. The captain had grave fears that had this not been done the vessel might have foundered. The loss In drums of kerosene and benzine is not known. The motor-cars, which, were insured, were' consigned to Morris and Hedstrom, Apia. Lloyd’s agents to-day^surveyed the Beulah. The cargo appeared to be all right and was brought ashore this morning.