UNUSUAL WEATHER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 145, 19 May 1930, Page 7

UNUSUAL WEATHER.

MOTOR VESSEL’S EXPERIENCE. APIA, May 17. The captain of the motor-vessel Beulah, which has arrived here from Fanning Island, states that distinctly unusual weather developed and big seas came aboard, the vessel rolling in a long swell. There was a north-west wind, with periodical blinding squalls from the south-west. Through the night of April 24 the Beulah wallowed in the swell, which at daybreak became worse. At seven o’clock in the morning there came a crash. Suddenly a deck cargo shifted with a smashing, crunching noise to port. There was a tremendous strain on the lashings, and the vessel, on her beam ends, lay over for a quarter of an hour with the sea washing her decks. The big weight of five cases of motor cars and benzine and kerosene prevented the vessel from rising to an even keel, the water finding its way below decks When the Beulah showed no signs of righting, a section of the crew became alarmed and rushed the lifeboats. The position was without question dangerous, and a matter of importance was .to save the ship and the lives of the crew. There appeared to be no way out but to dump the deck cargo. The engines were slowed and quick work followed. Engineer Bromberg with a hacksaw cut the steel lashings and released the cargo. The cars sank rapidly. Oil drums and the ship’s boat, which was carried with them, floated and drifted. Relieved of the weight, the Beulah slowly rose and immediately listed to starboard in a critical condition. However, the vessel gave a favourable move and righted. An inspection showed that on, the port side the immense weight of the deck cargo had bulged the bulwarks two feet outwards for a length of twenty feet, as well as other damage. The danger was not past. The sea was strewn with benzine drums and the captain feared that a live spark might ignite a leaky drum. Th*: vessel moved to leeward of the floating drums. The ship’s boat was found two miles away in an unusable condition. Having no wireless, the captain made for Fanning Island, which was reached at seven o’clock on the evening of May 7, to report to the owners. He then proceeded to Apia. The captain highly praises the work of Engineer Bromberg, who at great risk undertook to cut the lashings. The captain had grave fears that had this not been done the vessel might have founded. The loss in drum of kerosene and benzine is not known. The motorcars, which were insured, were consigned to Morris and Hedstrom, Apia. Lloyd’s agents to-day surveyed the Beulah. The cargo appeared to be all right and was brought ashore this morning.