FIFTY YEARS AGO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16026, 18 September 1915, Page 4

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

HEAVY COASTAL GALE. Ip|l STEAMER SEVERELY BUFFETED (From the HKR.ALT) of September 13, 1855.) " " * Ok the passage from Dunedin through : % Fouveaux Straits, the Ladv Darling en- - countered one of the most terrific gales" - ever experienced on the New Zealand"' coast. For 12 hours the wind blew with " the fury of a hurricane, with a most tre- f mendous sea. The cabin doors were store in with the force of the heavy seas break- 5; ing over her decks, and the water was up V - to the lower bonks. Nearly all the lira - I stock on board perished. The seen© on board after the gale had moderated baiEes - description. Strewed along the decks were - to be seen dead carcases, all having shared v the same fate. The heavy seas broke over the engine-room, and all but put cut the > fires. The firemen worked oravelv. how- - ever, and, notwithstanding the overpower- - - ing heat from the steam which was >' 1 generated by the fire, succeeded in keeping the engines going, which in all probability saved the vessel. Very rarely has the " strength of a vessel's hull been "so severelv I tested as in this instance, and the reputed * extra strength of th° T.adv Darling may • now be placed beyond all doubt. ,