STORMY WEATHER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11731, 13 August 1901, Page 5

STORMY WEATHER.

NARROW ESCAPE OF THE

GLENELG.

ACCIDENT TO THE MACHINERY. The strong south-west gifle which set in on Sunday morning continued throughout yesterday, accompanied by frequent heavy rain squalls, and during the night there was a heavy rainfall. The Northern Company's steamer Glenelg, which arrived at Onehunga from Hokianga. yesterday morning, had a very perilous experience on the passage. Crossing the Hokianga bar on Saturday afternoon the steamer called at Kawerua, and left the latter place at seven o'clock the same evening. It was then blowing a hard gale from the south-west, with a very heavy sea. Shortly after leaving Kawerua, an accident happened to the machinery, which completely disabled the steamer, and for nearly an hourshe was' at the mercy of the winds and waves. There was a heavy gale blowing, and the steamer was in such close proximity to the Maunganui Bluff that the breakers on the beach could be plainly discerned by those on board of the steamer, which was gradually being drifted in shore. Captain Austen and his officers had a consultation, and decided to put overboard a horsebox, which was on deck, to act as a sea anchor, and after some difficulty this was managed ; but had very little effect, as the steamer still continued to drift towards the shore, and for a time it was thought that she would go ashore, the wind blowing a strong gale, with a heavy sea. Every preparation was 'made by Captain Austen and the deck officers , whilst the engineers below worked hard to effect repairs to the engines, for the safety of all. , For, over an hour it was a veiy anxious time for all, as' if the steamer got into the breakers on the rough coast she would have gone to pieces in a very short time, and probably not a life would have been saved. Fortunately, however, the steamer, owing to the exertions of those on board, was worked out of her perilous position, under sail. The engineers in the meantime had been enabled to effect temporary repairs below, and with the aid of the sails and engines the steamer gradually made her way down to Onehunga, where she arrived yesterday morning, those on board being very thankful when, the wharf was reached. The passengers by ; the steamer all speak in the highest terms of the conduct of Captain Austen, the officers, engineers, and crew of the steamer, under the" Trying circumstances, all stating that if it had not been for the seamanship displayed on the occasion the Glenelg would never have reached Onehunga. The Northern Company's steamer Ohinemuri, which arrived from the North yesterday morning, was delayed by a north-east gale, and had to put into Whangaroa for shelter -on Friday morning. Leaving on Saturday morning the steamer met with a south-west gale and heavy sea, which delayed her arrival.

[from our own correspondent.] Thames, Monday. Very broken weather has prevailed here for the past three days, during which time very heavy rains have fallen, but the only damage reported of any consequence is a large slip on the Thames-Coromandel Road, on the Thames side of Tapu. The county engineer (Mr. J. McLaren) put on a number of men this morning to clear away the debris, and it is thought the road will be passable for vehicular traffic again by Wednesday, but it will take several days to thoroughly repair the road.

THE SCOW URUROA. [bt TELEGRAPH —press association.] Gisborne, Monday. This morning the steamer Nokc- proceeded to the scene of the Uniroa's stranding, and dropped her anchor in deep water off the beach. A connection was then made with the vessel. Captain Martin's crew from the schooner Waiapu carrying aline through the surf. The attempt to float the scow was not, however, successful, as the cable parted, and no more can be done till the morning's tide. Each tide is carrying the vessel still further in shore in a northeasterly direction. Pending the Customs inquiry the captain declines, to make any statement as to the cause of the beaching of the vessel.