THE EASTERLY GALE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13286, 19 September 1906, Page 7

THE EASTERLY GALE.

EXPERIENCES OP VESSELS.

'Although tho weather continues fine in Auckland, with a light wind from about east arid north-east, there is a very heavy easterly gale prevailing along the coast, accompanied by a terrific sea. Masters of vessels arriving at Auckland yesterday reported extreme weather conditions.

From Capo Maria Van Diemen down to Tiritiri, up to last night, the gale continued, with a heavy sea. A number of the local sailing fleet are still detained in Auckland by the bad weather prevailing on the coast.

The Northern Company's steamer Apanui, which left Auckland on Monday evening, had not reached Mercury Bay last evening, and is probably sheltering under Cape Colvillc.

The Northern Company's steamer Kanicri, which left Whangarei for Auckland on Monday, was unable to get past Whangarei Heads, owing to the severity of the weather, and went to an anchor, where she remained until yesterday afternoon, when she went back to Whangarei Town Wharf, and will leave for Auckland to-day if the weather is favourable. 'there are still a number of sailing vessels anchored under Marsden Point waiting for a. chance to sail for Auckland.

The Union Company's steamer Manapouri, which arrived from Fiji yesterday morning, came into port with a heavy list to starboard, caused by the water ballast working out on one side. The Manapouri left Suva for Auckland at midnight on Thursday last, and met with fair weather until Sunday evening last, when a heavy gale from the eastward was encountered, accompanied by a very heavy sea. Thick, rainy weather then set in, and for two days no sights could be taken, the steamer's course having to be made by " dead reckoning.'' The wind and sea increased, and the steamer shipped a good deal of water forward, but sustained no damage. Coming up the gulf yesterday morning the weaker was very thick and dirty, making navigation somewhat difficult. Shortly after two a.m. the loom of the light at Mokohinau was made out, and the steamer came along on her course, and made port as above. It was a somewhat anxious time for Captain Chrisp and the officers of the steamer, the weather having been so ex- ' tremely thick. The" three-masted scow Hawk, bound from Gisborne to Ngunguru, put into Auckland yesterday morning, owing to the heavy gale on the coast. Sailing from Gisborne on September 6, Captain C. Anderson reports meeting with contrary winds and bad weather, the East Cape not being rounded until the 16th. A very heavy easterly gale with tremendous sea was then fallen in with, which continued with unabated fury throughout that day and the next day, and finding that he could not possibly make Ngunguru 'he.decided to run into Auckland for shelter. The Hawk will resume her passage to Ngunguru this morning. ,