TURBULENT TASMAN

Northern Advocate, 5 February 1934, Page 10

TURBULENT TASMAN

NIAGARA IN GALE. | / AN UNPLEASANT TRIP. (Special to -’Nortnern Advocate. ”} AUCKLAND, This Day. The full force of the north-easterly j gale which prevailed locally for several days last week was experienced by the Union Company’s liner Niagara, which arrived from Sydney just before noon today. Soon after elcari ing the Sydney Heads on Thursday j evening the mail steamer ran into a l gale, which increased during the night !to hurricane force, and continued so till the next day. Though it moderated then, the conditions were unpleasant practically throughout the trip. A nor'-easier on the Tasman means j confused, lumpy seas. Driving wind, I accompanied by rain, swept the vessel with water and spray, the force of which is illustrated by the fact that varnish was stripped from the bridge. Speed was reduced by the storm, and for the 24 hours from early on Friday morning the motor ship averaged 11 knots instead of her customary .15 to 16. Though her decks were screened, they were swept by the rain and spray, and most of the passengers did not find their “sea legs” till the end of the trip. The Niagara lived xip to her reputation of seaworthiness, and the only damage reported was to one port boat. The gale came without any warning, and though the Niagara, was probably the first to experience its full force, shipping on the Australian coast got it too, and a number of vessels took the precaution of seeking shelter. About 4 o’clock this morning, the Niagara, when off Cape Brett, passed the Diomede and Dunedin. The cruisers were about to enter Russell Harbour to participate in the Waitangi celebrations. Messages were rccivod by the Niagara from them, inquiring the nature of the weather, and they were informed of the gale which the steamer had experienced. Visitors to Australia report that New South Wales has so far experienced a summer very like that of Auckland this year. There has been a lack of brilliant sunshine, expected at this time of the year on both sides of the Tasman, and cloudy and boisterous weather has been general.