SMALL STEAMER IN GALE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 28 June 1935, Page 9

SMALL STEAMER IN GALE

WAVE SWEEPS THE BRIDGE “NEVER STRUCK SEA LIJCE IT” FORCED TO RUN TO SHELTER. > (By Telegraph—Press Association.! AUCKLAND, June 27. Huge seas which threatened to overwhelm her were encountered by the Government steamer Matai in the Bay of Plenty in the course of her periodical visit to east coast lighthouses. The vessel arrived at Auckland to-day. Entering the Bay of Plenty, aftei rounding Cape Rkmawav, the Matai met the combination of a heavy northerly swell and a • north-easterly gale. She shipped seas continually and the climax was reached when one enormous wave swept the upper deck and even the bridge. “I have been in' some terrific gales off the coast in this ship but I have never struck a sea. like that before,” said Captain Burgess. “The bathroom, .the door of w}iic-h was open, oil the upper deck was completely filled with water. The sturdy little vessel could make little headway in such weather. “Roll-” said the captain,, “it felt as if she was going to roll her inside out.” Conditions wore so had that the .Matai was forced to put about and return to. Cape Runaway for. shelter. Within four hours, however, the sea appeared to moderate and she resumed her voyage, but she'struck very rough seas again.