THE RECENT CYCLONE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10434, 5 May 1897, Page 5

THE RECENT CYCLONE.

THE BELLINGER'S EXPERIENCES* FIVE DAYS IN A GALS. Although, beyond a slight blow and some rain, Auckland hte escaped the cyclone predicted u coming from Australia to New Zealand) by Mr. Clement Wraggc, of Queensland, end Captain Edwin, of the Nβ* Zealand WeaMler DepaMrneut, vessels crossing the Tastrian Sea have experienced very levert weetthirf. It will be remembered that the German Warship Falka Oh her passage across from Sydney last week ran into the gale, and had a lively experience for three days, until she ran out of the radius of the storm. H.M. gunboat Goldfinch also had a slight experience of the bad weather, but made fail, and kept away from the centre Of the bad weather. The steamer Bellinger, recently purchased by the Northern 8.3. Company for the local trade, arrived from Hobart yesterday after a passage of nine and a-half days, and met with the full force of the cyclone j and had ib. not been thab the steamer proved an excellent sea-boat) the experiences of those on board would hate been probably somewhat more exciting. Leaving Hobarb on the morning of April 25 (says Captain Willikm Fitfquhar), the Weather Was Somewhat threatening, the wind blowing strongly from the north, accompanied by a heavy sea and continuous rain.

Next Morning the weather moderated somewhat, the wind hauling in to the West, with a heavy swell from theNirth-north-east. Next day the wind Suddenly shifted into the south) arid freshened, gradually increasing during the day. On the 28th the wind and the Ma increased, the steamer pitching and straining heavily, and large quantities of water broke on board. The weather still continued bad all the next day t the wind at that time having gone into the north-east, and still blowing bard. All this time heavy seas broke On board, end on account of the heavy sea prevailing Captain Farquhar gave the order to the engines to bo put ab "dead slow," and in consequence the progress of the steamer Was much retarded. The gale continued all the next day, the wind being from the north-easb, bub a tremendous sea was still raging, the. steamer straining and pitching violently, but although b> lot of water broke on board, she rose to the waves* arid no damage occurred.

Oμ the Ist instant the Wind hauled into the north, althdilgh still blowing fresh, but the sea had moderated gfeatly, and the engines were put ab full speed. Suddenly the wind went into the south-wont, and toned down to a light breeze, the sea gradually going down until It became quite smooth, and as the New Zealand coast was approached the fine weather Continued. Captain his officers describe the gnlfl as being indst terrific, not so much from tho strength of the wind, but on account of the angry sea with which they had to contend. During the bud weather the Bellinger found herself «mo?texcellent Beaboab, and all on board are high in their praise of the manner in which she acquitted herself under the exceptional circUmBtanoes.