SWEPT BY HUGE SEAS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13845, 3 September 1908, Page 5

SWEPT BY HUGE SEAS.

A TEMPESTUOUS VOYAGE.

ARRIVAL OF THE BARON MINTO.

Tub laet of the American fleet's colliers, the 6.6, Bftion Minto, Captain R. Storey, arrived from Newport News yesterday morning, after a stormy passage. ; The Baron Minto, which is on her maiden voyage, took her departure from Newport News on dune 17, and met with strong head winds and seas until entering the Straits of Magellan on June 23.

Terrible weather was then encountered. The steamer was seven days in clearing the [•straits, and had to anchor on no less than four occasions. The wind blew with, hurricane force, and huge seas broke over her. [Very severe snowstorms were also met with, the vessel being completely snowed up on several occasion. Her decks were completely under water during the whole time *h© was endeavouring to steam through the straits, which were cleared on June M. Heavy bead gales from the west and southwest were then met with, continuing until Monday last, when the weather moderated. Seas after seas dashed on board, and Captain Storey wan compelled to reduce speed considerably. Instead of the steamer coyering 240 miles per day, she onlv steamed 70 miles. ' ■ - ■■:

\ The vessel behaved - splendidly, and proved herself to be an excei'ent sea boat. She sustained -n • damage whatever. She brought 6357 tons of coal for the fleet, but having arrived here tor late to coal the warships eihe has received instructions to proceed to Manila to-day. . •