EXPERIENCES AT SEA.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 148, 23 June 1906, Page 5

EXPERIENCES AT SEA.

- — * STEAMER LOSES HER PROPELLER. A LONG JOURNEY UNDER SAIL. [FILMS ASSOCIATION,} (Received June 23, 10.3 a.m.) PERTH, This Day. The steamer Norfolk, which dropped her propeller on the voyage from Capetown, left Durban on 28th May. She encountered very rough weather, and on 10th June the engines began to race. It was then ascertained that the propeller had broken off, and every available bit of sail was set. The vessel was got under control, but) became unmanageable in a gale on the 12th, and was lurching dangerously. Her foresail was blown away, and oil was used to calm the seas, and a new mainsail was set, but owing to the heavy weather the steamer refused tto answer her helm. The difficulty was overcome by pumping out the tanks in the forepart and filling those at the other end. On 15th and 16th June gales, which threatened 'the flimsy makeshift sails, were encountered, and the crew set to work putting bands on to strengthen the canvas, while others constructed two large sea ancnors in case the steamer was blown inshore, and every precaution was taken to meet the contingencies. On the following Tuesday night a fierce squall came up, and tlhe vessel was put dead before the wind. She bowled along splendidly until Thursday, when the mainsail was carried away. By joining the hatch coverings with odd pieces of canvas the veeeel was again got under way, and with a liberal assistance of oil the steamer managed to reach the vicinity of Fremantle. Distress signals were hoisted and tugs came to her assistance. During the voyage a seaman named Christensen fell from aloft and was killed. - - '