BATTERED BY GALE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11830, 11 January 1933, Page 7

BATTERED BY GALE

MATTNGANUI’S ROUGH TR;IF FROM SYDNEY.

MOTJNTAINOUS SEAS AND TERRIFIC WIND.

VESSEL DAMAGED AND FIVE

MEN INJURED

ii’res- Association

WELLINGTON, Jan. 10

The Afaunganui was 16 hours Ip, to when she arrived last night. About 100 miles south of Rarotonga she passed through a cyclone. Mountainous seas crashed aboard, repeatedly doing damage but the ship came through well, and anchored off Rarotonga on January 2. However, she. was Finable to enter the harbour till next morning.

Leaving in the evening, she soon ran. into another storm, which became a hurricane. All hands were called on deck, where damage was done to the life-boats Hn c l dock structures. Later there was a fiespite, but soon the other side of the vessel was being battered. ■ Three lifeboats were . damaged, and ventilators were lifted from tbe. decks and blown overboard. The velocity of the wind was estimated at times at 100 miles an hour. •Some of the cabins were flooded, but no passengers were injured. The crew were-less fortunate, two seamen, two stewards, ahd one 'fireman being injured. Five lifeboats were brought ashore for repair. - •