STORM IN THE TASMAN

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 121, 7 May 1934, Page 7

STORM IN THE TASMAN

Small Steamer’s Ordeal By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, May 6. Battered by mountainous seas that threatened to engulf her, the (mail steamer Abel 'Tasman, which arrived at Auckland this afternoon two days late from Sydney, fought out the gale which swept Auckland province on Thunsday for 30 hours. The vessel was hove-te in a welter of crashing water; It was tho only thing to be done to save her from destruction. When the vessel entered port the only visible signs of danwig* were a few cracked ports. The only description which the master, Captain C. G. Turner, would give of the ordeal was: “It was about fhe worst passage I have made aeross the Tasman.’’ In spite of the captain’s reticence, however, inquiries showed that at the time when the ship was battling with the gale it seemed that she wouM be smashed tn pieces. With her bowa plunging into rearing walls of water that lifted her high or tumbled in breaking cataracts across her decks, she was kept head-on to the storm from early on Thursday morning until after midday on Friday. “Thank God that is over,’’ was the comment of at least one man on the vessel when the wind abated and a normal course was resumed. The Abel Tasman, with general cargo and hardwood poles and sleeper*, left Sydney for Auckland on Saturday, April 28.