ACROSS EASTERN SEAS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18325, 15 February 1923, Page 8

ACROSS EASTERN SEAS.

CRUISE OF THE AMARYLLIS. HEAD WINDS, CALMS, SQUALLS. ' ~ PREPARING FOR : GALES."" Details of the faring of the 29-ton -English, cruising yacht Amaryllis, when in Eastern seas, are given in a letter from Colombo, dated January 14, received yesterday by an Auckland resident from Lieut. G. H. P. Muhlhauser, R.N.R-, owner and skipper of the little vessel. ' Now homeward-bound from Auckland to England, the Amaryllis arrived at Ceylon early in January from Penang. The yacht left Pfnangon December 23 for Sabang, in Wo Weh. an inland off Sumatra, belonging to Holland. Describing the voyage. Lieut. Muhffiauser «l?io - "trip from Penang was rather tedious, as the wind was very light, and dead ahead; we had to beat practically the whole way. At night it was aiways calm. A nasty swell troubled us during the calms/and at times we had to lower the mainsail to stop the heavy jerks of the swinging boom. ,'•'."' ■, ~'... " From Sabang we made for the littleknown Nicobar Islands, and sailed into South Bay. A heavy swell was running in and, even at the head of the bay there was no shelter; so- we came out again and went on for Colombo. Near the Nicobars, where the currents are string, the sea was very confused and trip may be summed up as a succession of calms, strong winds, squads, incessant heavy rain, and a cruel sea. On one occasion we had a fine breeze lor the 24 hours, -and made good 171 miles; but on the whole it was a slow trip, owing to the spasmodic way in which we advanced. The distance is 971 miles, and it took ten days. .••/.' _ "I have decided to give up the projected visit to Bombay. So from Colombo we shall make straight for Aden, 2100 miles away. The parage of the Rod Sea presents many difficulties, as strong northerly winds with a steep, short sea, prevail in the northern part. Of course, there is a remote chance of carrying a fair wind right up to Suez during February, and 1 am "aiming at being there at that period. From to Aden the weather should be fair. " Beyond Aden our troubles in all pro-, babihty begin, and I am preparing the ship for the tussle, renewing the shroud lanyards and doing other work. In the Mediterranean there are usually heavy gales about March, and I cannot now say what our porta will be after we pass through the Canal and leave Port Said.'