MOORINGS PART

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 185, 4 May 1936, Page 10

MOORINGS PART

Cumberland in Trouble At New Plymouth SHIP PUTS TO SEA Lashed Unmercifully By Mountainous Waves By Telegraph.—Press Association. New Plymouth, May 3. Caught by the full force of a cyclonic gale that swept the port early yesterday morning, the large overseas vessel Cumberland was torn from het moorings at tbe Newton King M barf and carried seaward. Prompt release of the anchors diverted disaster and for more than two hours the vessel strained at the anchor chains while steam was being raised. The deputy-harbourmaster, Captain F. L. Hay, boarded the vessel and, displaying magnificent seamanship, piloted her stern first across the treacherous swell sweeping round the end of the breakwater and across the harbour mouth. Once well clear of the harbour the Cumberland was turned about and headed out to sea. At 5 a.ni., just before the peak of the tide, when she was in a most exposed position, a squall of abnormal strength caught the Cumberland and the three bow lines snapped simultaneously. As tlie Cumberland swung away from the wharf the strain placed on her stern moorings was too great and they also carried away. The anchors were dropped promptly and she was held in a safe position. On reaching the open sea, tlie Cumberland’s troubles had only begun. Tne cyclonic storm beyond the shelter of the shore developed even greater intensity and the ship was lashed unmercifully. The crew described the seas as mountainous, and the worst they had ever experienced. In the hurry to leave port time had not

lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllinillllllllllllHlllllllH permitted the crew to make everything shipshape on deck, and when the vessel returned to port this morning a tale was told of a severe battering. Damage was caused to the deck fittings and at times, with waves crashing over the deck, there was anxiety for the safety of the ship. The Cumberland steamed slowly in circles to await the abatement of the storm. When she returned to port at 10 a.m. to-day the storm was over. The gale had dropped to a breeze and the sea had flattened out. The ship will complete loading to-morrow and sail for. Auckland on Tuesday morning.

This is the first occasion in the history of the port that a vessel has been torn from her moorings and obliged to put to sea. The combination of cyclonic wind and rough seas, however, had never previously been so intense and boisterous.

On land the damage in individual eases was not great, but in the aggregate must be considerable. Telegraph and telephone lines were down in several places in Central and North Taranaki. Trees were uprooted and in several cases iron was blown off the roofs of houses. A huge tree was blown across the road to the North Egmont Mountain House, blocking access for several hours. The mountain was covered witli a heavy mantle of snow, and yesterday heavy bail-showers swept the lowlands of the province. HOSPITAL DAMAGED Falling Chimney Plunges •Through Ward Roof By the terrific force of the gale a brick chimney on the Victoria Ward at the Wellington Public Hospital was blown down, tlie debris nurtling through tlie tile roof, of which a large section was torn away, littering tlie floor with debris. The falling bricks also broke a pipe on tlie steam heating service, so that water was soon running all over the wdrd. Thirty-four women patient's were iu the wal’d at the time, and over two hours were occupied in moving them to another ward, several having to be carried down the stairs because there is no lift from the ground to tile first floor. 'l'he engineer cut off the water service before the water could run through into the ward below, and the nurses united in helping to move the patients. Three patients "'ere struck by falling debris, but the hospital authorities spited yesl'orday that they were not badly injured, the main trouble being tlie shock and discomfort caused the inmates.

The chimney is for :i central heating stove in the ward. Where it used to'lie there is a gaping hole and round (he stove bits of the chimney, roof and ceiling were littered yesterday. Beds and oilier furniture were removed to other parts of the hospital. The patients were accommodated in the Seddon Ward.

Further reports of storm damage on Page 5.