A TRYING VOYAGE

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 88, 7 January 1933, Page 10

A TRYING VOYAGE

Experiences Aboard South Sea Trawler COLLISION AND STORMS Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, Jan. 6. The trawler South Sea, which has been bought by a Christchurch syndicate to supply the New Zealand and Australian markets, berthed at Lyttelton yesterday morning. The voyage from Hull, England, took more than five months, and was a long battle with storms and gales. On leaving Las Palmas she was Involved in a collision and spent nine weeks there undergoing repairs, ••Absolute hell all the way from Durban” was how one member of the crew described the trip. He said the worst part was from Albany to New Zealand. After leaving the West Australian port none of the men saw a cup of tea until the vessel arrived at Lyttelton. Several became ill from want of food, and were unable to go on deck. It-was stated that there was almost a mutiny on board, nearly every member of the original crew deserting when opportunity offered. Only four of the. original men were left. Others to take their places were signed on at Durban and Las Palmas. In the Australian Bight the South Sea fought her way through heavy gales. For days the deck was never clear of water, which came aboard heavily. Some of the forecastle hands considered themselves lucky not to be washed overboard. The South Sea left Brixham on August 1 for Las Palmas. It was about an hour after leaving Las Palmas that the vessel collided with the British steamer Storepool, 4803 tons. Both vessels were badly damaged. The bows of the trawler were crumpled and the sailors asleep below were hurled from their bunks. The crew abandoned the trawler, but when it became apparent that she would not sink some of the crew returned and the vessel headed for Las Palmas. It was nine weeks before she made her departure for Port Albany on October 12. Owing to the adverse north-east gales and heavy seas, which lasted several days, Captain Dowell had to make a call at Port Elizabeth for bunkers, and a call was also made at Durban. The latter port was left on November 21. Further bad weather was encountered after leaving Durban, and Port Albany was reached 24} days later.