A TIDAL WAVE.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 94, 30 April 1901, Page 2

A TIDAL WAVE.

STRIKES A STEAMER. By Telegraph.—Press Association. N. Lon, last night. The Mapourika lin l a sensational experience shortly aft- leaving Wellington for Nelson last evening. When just outside the heads a phenomenally heavy sea or tidal wav.-, about 25ft high, struck the vessel on the port bow, and swept ovor her, making a wreck of everything movable on the fore-deck and amidships.

The time was about twenty minutes to six, and the passengers wore at tea. The sea, striking the bulkhead, shattered the thick glass of two portholes, through which the water poured, and completely flooded the dining saloon from end to end. The tables wore swept of thencontents, and several passengers wore cut by pieces of glass. Women screamed, one or two fainting. The passengers "thought the vessel was going to founder, and the few minutes that followed were moments of intense anxiety and excitement.

After the wave passed over there were no further heavy seas, and the rest of the trip was fairly smooth. A great deal of damage was done about the foredeck, the ratlins being cut down to a height of nearly 30ft, whilst the deck cargo, consisting principally of kerosene, was completely wrecked. Several scats were carried away, and the window of the chart-house smashed in. The damago is not great, the sea merely shifting things about. Ono of tho funnel guys carried away. It" is considered certain that, had one of the smaller steamers encountered the soa, she would have foundered.

PRELIMINARY ENQUIRY. WATER POURS IN AS FROM A HOSE. A PASSENGER’S STATEMENT. [By Telegraph—Press Association.] Nelson, last night. A preliminary enquiry concerning the damage dono by a heavy wave to the Mapourika was held this afternoon by MiHeaps, Collector of Customs. Tho evidence of the captain, the third officer, the steersman, the chief steward, and of Mr E. L. Nathan, a passenger, was taken. The latter said they were at tea at 5.30 when a heavy crash came, and water poured into the saloon through the port as from a hose. Those at the main tables suffored, some being hurt by the broken glass. The stewards and officers did all they could, and the passengers wore soon reassured. The whole affair was so sudden that it was. hard to say what had happened.-All was over in a few minutes.