TE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12401, 24 October 1903, Page 5

TE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

ROUGH PASSAGE OF THE -SONOMA. Whkn the mail steamer -Sonoma..' was. not reported at the Visual. hour .yesterday momih« on her voyage from Sydney, it was at once surmised that the steamer befallen in with the bad weather wliich has,'been prevailing :on the New,"■Zealan'irW&it for the past week, 'and it was mot until shortly after noon that a message was received from Russell, stating that the 'steamer was then passing Cape Brett. The Sonoma reached the harbour shortly after eight .o'clock last night, but it was past ten o'clock when she berthed at the Queenstreet Wharf, owing to the usual inspection having t» be gone through. On berthing at the wharf there were many inquiries made by friends of those on board, as to what had delayed the mail steamer, the reply being, "Oh, we've had stormy weather for three days."

The Sonoma left Sydney Reads on Monday afternoon last," and met with" fine weather until Tuesday evening, when a strong, easterly gale and thick, rainy weather were encountered. The gale was accompanied by an exceptionally heavy sea, the wind not being nearly fierce enough to account for the tremendous sea. At Limes great seas broke on board, going clean over the top' of the pilot-house on the upper deck, which "will give some idea of i their strength. Tims af tirao Captain Herriman, who was on the bridge almost continuously, reduced the speed, and then again, the weather appearing to give an opportunity, "full speed" would be again rung up; but only for a few moments, for the huge, liner would put Iter bows almost under water, and the speed would have to be reduced. These weather conditions prevailed almost without intermission until rounding the North Cape at half-past seven a.m. yesterday, when both wind and sea decreased, and the Sonoma made port as 1 above. The engines were uuder reduced speed for 42 hours during the continuance of the bad weather.

One of the crew had a most miraculous escape during Ihe gale. One huge green sea. broke on board forward Hid caught the man, who was on the upper deck, and lifted him right on to the bridge deck, the water washing him right along and jamming him between; the iron railing which saved him from being 'washed overboard. He escaped with only a. few bruises. The Sonoma had a fair number of passengers for Auckland and also for Island ports and San Francisco. Among those for Auckland were Mr. and-Mrs. S. A. Davenport, who have returned from a visit to the United States, Europe, and Australia. Sir Julian Salomons, I.C. of-Syd-ney, is a passenger for San Fnncisco, proceeding on a short visit to the United States. A number of passengers joined the steamer at Auckland, including Professor Maclaurin, of Victoria College. Wellington, and the Westminster Abbey Glee and Concert Party. \ The steamer's cargo from Australia consists of the usual lines of hides, tin, hardwood, etc. At this port the cargo was considerably added to with lines of meats, produce, etc., for Samoa, and flax, grassseed, kauri gum, pelts, etc., for San Francisco. The Sonoma resumed her voyage to Island ports and San Francisco early this morning, and is due at the Oaliforniau port, on November 9, her mails being timed to reach London, on November 21. The Ventura, with the British mails which left London on September 26, is due at this port on Tuesday next, but it is probable that she will arrive well in advance of contract time. The steamer proceeds on to Sydney a few hours after arrival. .§■•: