A WILD VOYAGE

Evening Star, Issue 21503, 30 August 1933, Page 12

A WILD VOYAGE

TUG IN STORM FOR FIVE DAYS THERESA WARD'S TASMAN GROSSING [Pbh United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 29. The experiences of the crew of the tug Theresa Ward, which encountered stormy weather almost throughout her recent voyage from Bluff to Sydney, were related to a ‘ Post ’ reporter today by Mr G. Clarke, one of tho little vessel's company, who returned by the Wanganella. Mr Clarke said the decks were awash from the second day out until the end of the voyage. Considering the weather, the Theresa Ward proved herself a splendid sea boat. At the height of the storm conditions were so bad that several members of the crew feared ■(hat the ship might founder, but she rode out the heavy seas without damage. A drum of oil lashed to the side, and a hole made in it allowing the oil to escape, bad the effect of calming the seas, but oven so the voyage was by no means a comfortable one.

The cook had a particularly unpleasant task, said Mr Clarke. The seas were' continually invading his galley, and his fire was extinguished no fewer than five times. Two carcasses of meat which were hanging on deck were washed off the hooks and could not be eaten, and for the greater part of the voyage tinned food was used. Walking along th© deck was a hazardous matter, since there was always danger that a big sea would sweep the deck and carry one overboard. The storm lasted for about five days, during which the Theresa Ward was driven well over 100 miles out of her course. Only forty hours of good weather were experienced during the voyage. One of the rudder chains broke on the fourth day out, said Mr Clarke, and it was several hours before repairs were completed. In the meantime the vessel was helpless, and rolled violently in the heavy seas. By the time tho tug reached Sydney everything on deck was smothered in oil, and the upper works were encrusted with salt. Nobody on board had much sleep during the storm. As a matter of fact, sleep was practically out of the question owing to tho vessel’s liveliness.