THE BARQUE INDIA RETURNS TO PORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8179, 14 February 1890, Page 4

THE BARQUE INDIA RETURNS TO PORT.

HEAVY WEATHER. Early yesterday morning the Norwegian barque India, Captain Anderson, which left this port for New York on January 25th last, with a full cargo of kauri gum and flax, under charter to the New Zealand Shipping Company, returned to port, and is at anchor off the Queen-street Wharf, her return being necessitated by her having received very severe damages in a gale which was encountered on January 30th and several following days. Captain Anderson reports that he left Auckland on January 25th, and met with light south-east and easterly winds up to thu 30th, when it came on to blow from E.S.E., with a very heavy sea, during which a considerable quantity of water came on boaal. On that morning the fore lowe. topsail was carried away. The wind gradually increased until it blew a strong gale from the S.E., which continued until 7 o'clock ""the next morning, when the wind abated somewhat, but the sea, which 'bad been vary heavy during the gale, did not go down, but increased until it was running mountains high, the vesael shipping considerable quantities of water. The wind remained light until about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when it increased again, and in a very short time a perfect hurricane from the south-east raged. Heavy squalls swept down upon the vessel every now and then, during which the fore lower topsail and the fore-topmast staysail were blown clean away, and several other sails also damaged. Previous to this several seas had come on board, but did not do any damage. At about 6 o'clock in the evening a tremendous sea broke on board over the starboard bow, the wind blowing with hurricane force, and at its greatest height. This sea went over the topsail yards, and broke on deck forward of the mainmast, and landed with such force that the whole of the forepart of the vessel was completely wrecked —eleven stannehions, the rail, and bulwarks on that side being completely carried away, and many of the staunchions on the port side started, besides carrying" away two deck-houses—one from either side—forcing the foreside of the forecastle, and filling it with water. Two of the boats were smashed ; the winches, ladders, and everything there was on the head of the forecastle was smashed to pieces; the rail round the foremast was washed away, and one of the hatches forced, so that a good deal of water made its way down into the hold. One of the deck houses, used as the sailors'quarters, was completely wrecked and gutted, and one of the crew was seriously injured. When the pump was sounded it was found that there was over three feet of water in the hold. The tarpaulins and hatch were wrenched off by the force of the sea and carried overboard, but a temporary hatchcovering of canvas was quickly rigged up and placed in position to prevent any more water making its way into the hold. The after-cabin also came in for some serious damage, it being almost gutted, and everything moveable being washed overboard. The vessel was also considerably strained it is thought. At the time of the disaster, the vessel was in 179dce. W. long., about 450 miles off' the New Zealand coast. A consultation took place between Captain Anderson and his officers, when it was decided, seeing that the vessel was in such a damaged condition, and the extent of the damage to her cargo not being able to be determined, it was decided to for the nearest port for repairs, and a courso was made for Auckland. The weather remained unsettled for some days, but it gradually moderated, and on the 2nd an attempt was made to heave-to for a short time. t This was not found possible, however, owing to the nasty oross sea that was running, and the vessel had to be let run before the wind. She was kept on this course until the next day, when the gale had completely passod away, and fine weather was experienced during the remainder of the return passage. Light S.E. and E. winds prevailed, and the Three Kings were sighted on Friday last, since which light easterly winds were met with until arrival. During yesterday the barque was surveyed, and the result is that the vessel will have to bo docked for further examination. It is probable that the whole of her cargo will have to be discharged, as considerable repairs are needed to enable tha vessel to again proceed on her voyage. Her cargo consists of 2727 cases kauri gum and 2463 bales of flax.