Big Steamer’s Peril Off Cape Reinga

Northern Advocate, 13 June 1938, Page 6

Big Steamer’s Peril Off Cape Reinga

t-Specinl to “Northern Advocate.”] AUCKLAND, This Day. The far northern coast of Northland was nearly the scene of a shipwreck on Saturday, when the British steamer Llangollen narrowly missed disaster. The ship became out of control off Cape Reinga at dusk, and was at the mercy of the seas when only three or four miles from the shore. Only the prompt action of the captain in deliberately flooding one of the holds saved the ship.

The Llangollen is a steamer of 5056 gross tons, owned by Evan, Radcliffe and Co., of Cardiff, and she left Auckland on Friday en route to Port Kembla. New South Wales, to bunker before loading for Europe. She made a fair passage to the North Cape, but after rounding the cape huge seas and a wind of gale force from the west were encountered.

At Mercy of Seas. The steamer was drawing only about 12 feet by the stern and nine feet by the head. Her light trim made her like a box in severe weather. Between noon and 5 p.m. on Saturday, the Llangollen was unable to steam in the gale at more than five knots. By 5 o’clock the storm had taken control of her. An entry in the log-book reads as follows: “Five p.m..—Vessel not under command, and falling off towards lee-shore. Immediate steps taken to flood No. 4 hold. 5.30 p.m.: Vessel under command, and making for North Cape for shelter.”

Flooding of Hold Saves Ship. The Llangollen was twice cast off her course by the violence of the wind and sea. The gale was carrying her steadily inshore, and only the prompt decision of Captain David Williams, master of the steamer, in flooding one of the holds to provide 1 ballast, saved the steamer. Captain Williams confessed that he was half expecting disaster, and this opinion was confirmed by some of his officers, who were scanning the shore for a sandy stretch of beach. Menaced by the proximity of Cape Reinga and Columbia Reef, the ship was in a difficult position, and was only saved by masterly seamanship. The effect of the flooding of the hold was to give the Llangollen about three feet deeper draught by the stern. After sheltering at North Cape, the Llangollen put back to Auckland, arriving there early last evening.