A ROUGH PASSAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13694, 10 March 1908, Page 5

A ROUGH PASSAGE.

'TRYING TIME ON THE • WIMMERA. ; EXCITING EXPERIENCES. i The anxiety felt in Auckland on Sunday night regarding the steamer Wimmera, which was expected in port about mid-day, was removed by her safe arrival in port yesterday afternoon, more thai» 24 hours .overdue. As was anticipated here, the vessel had a particularly rough passage, and those on board experienced a most trying and nerve-racking time. She left Sydney on Wednesday afternoon, shortly after her appointed sailing time, and after clearing the heads met with a treacherous sea, which continued till Thursday night, when she fell in with the full force of the gale. The gale raged with unabated fury till.early on Saturday morning when it passed over in a northeasterly direction. Heavy seas struck the vessel with tremendous force, but she behaved splendidly throughout. One of the companion ladders and some of the gear were swept away. There was a fair complement of passengers on board, including many ladies, who suffered severely from seasickness and the other discomforts. The forecastle passengers in particular' had a very bad time, as they were cooped up down below for nearly the whole of the voyage.

The spectacle during the height of the storm was one of unique grandeur for the few passengers who were well enough to appreciate it. As far as the eye could reach the sea was a sweeping mass of huge wavesfoam-flecked mountains and cavernous green valleys—travelling past with the speed of a mill-race. Now and again one bigger than its fellows, a green, glistening avalanche, would be seen high above the ship, as if it would overwhelm her, but the vessel mounted most of them as gracefully as a seabird. Occasionally she would bury her nose in one, which would break over her decks in a. flashing fountain of white spray.

After the gale had in some measure subsided the aftermath was felt m a heavy, rolling sea and choppy winds, which continued almost to Auckland. Saturday and Sunday were peculiarly trying days. There wan a thick mist, which vented the officers from getting more than a few moments' transitory view of the sun, and it was late on Sunday evening before the North Cape was sighted. The Three Kings were not seen at all, and as Sunday wore away without sight 0 f the New Zealand coast there was considerable tension on board. The weather grew very bad again as the coast was approached, and soundings were taken throughout the day. Then, just at dusk, the bluff dark headland of the North Cape appeared suddenly out of the mist, and.- cr ybody on board settled down with /VF llfort!lble feeling that the vessel r v/j / % lot have to feel her way in the S»ij#l one of the worst-lighted coasts in the fir £, ■•:■-•" Just after this cheering spectacle tne toost exciting incident of the voyage occurred. A heavy sea broke suddenly fight across the vessel, Hooding the saloon and sweeping the decks. On the alter deck were several passengers, who were flung by the force of the wave across the bulwarks. There was some panic and COnfftsion as the wave clashed over, and then a cry of " Man overboard !" The steamer was instantly stopped and two lifebuoys thrown over. The male passengers crowded to the side, and watched the flickering lights of the buoys floating * w ay in the darkness, but nothing else tould be discerned. Orders were given to make ready to lower a boat, but it is doubtful whether one could have lived in

such a sea. As it was, the side of the boat as it swung loose in the davits was stove in against the side of the vessel. The male passengers were called into the saloon by the second officer, and the two who had raised the cry were questioned. I hey stated i/ney had distinctly seen a man or boy washed overboard bv the wave; but the calling of the roll proved that they were mistaken, as, fortunately, nobody was missing. The probability 'i* that they saw a deck-chair washed over the side, and in the shock of the moment mistook it for a human form. The steamer was delayed about an hour through this incident, but resumed her wav about eight o'clock. Very heavy seas were met with till the Hay of Islands was passed, but the steamer arrived in port safely yesterday afternoon shortly after two o'clock. All the passengers were loud in praise of the kindness they received from all the officers and from the stewards and stewardesses of the shin during the voyage. Everything that could be done to make things as comfortable as possible was done. The commander., Captain Waller, had a very responsible time, and for two days and nights he hardly left the bridge.