LONG BATTLE WITH HEAVY SEAS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 187, 7 May 1934, Page 3

LONG BATTLE WITH HEAVY SEAS

Small Steamer Aljel Tasman HOVE-TO IN WELTER OF CRASHING WATER By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, May 6. Battered by mountainous seas that threatened to engulf her, the small steamer Abel Tasman, which arrived at Auckland this afternoon two days late from Sydney, fought out the gale which swept the Auckland Province on Thursday. For 30 hours the vessel was hove to in a welter of crashing water. It was the only thing to be done to save her from destruction. When the vessel entered port, the only visible signs of damage were a few cracked ports. The only description, which the master, Captain C. G. Turner, would give of the ordeal was: “It was about the worst passage I have made across the Tasman.” In spite of the captain’s reticence, however, inquiries showed that at times when the ship was battling with the gale it seemed she would be smashed to pieces. With her bows plunging into rearing walls of water that lifted her high or tumbled in breaking cataracts across her decks, she was kept head on to the storm from early on Thursday morning until after midday on Friday. “Thank God that is over,” was the comment of at least one man on the vessel when the wind abated and the normal course was resumed. The Abel Tasman, with general cargo and hardwood poles and sleepers, left Sydney for Auckland on Saturday, April 28. _