DISABLED IN A STORM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18680, 9 April 1924, Page 11

DISABLED IN A STORM.

STEAMER'S RUDDER BROKEN.

PORT PIRIE'S EXPERIENCE. For a steamer to encounter a fierce storm at sea is fraught with considerable danger, but accident to the steering gear during the height of the storm greatly increases the danger. Such was the experience that recently befel the Commonwealth and Dominion Line steamer Port Pirie, which arrived at Auckland from London, via Wellington and Port Chalmers, yesterday morning. The accident occurred on February 12, two days after the vessel had left Falmouth, and for 18 hours she drifted helplessly while mountainous, confused seas buffeted her from all directions and tossed her about like a cork. Tons of water crashed on the decks and made the task of repairing the steering gear almost impossible.

At 10-15 p.m.j 12 hours afte* ty.e storm commenced, a link in the heavy steering gear chain snapped and left the vessel unmanageable. The huge iron rudder swung to and fro with tremendous force. As the rudder swung round the heavy iron apparatus at the top wrecked the interior of the steering house aft, stanchions and iron supports being smashed to pieces and the hand steering gear brought down. To make matters worse the doors of the steering house had been smashed in by the sea, and there was no protection for the officers and crew as they tried to connect up the broken gear. The work of repair entailed great risk to life and limb, and it was only after 18 hours of herculean effort that repairs were carried out sufficiently to allow the steering gear to, be again used. While tho work wag f in progress endeavours were made to steer the vessel with the engines. The confused state of the sea made this almost impossible and the Port Pirie repeatedly fell on before the wind and wallowed in tho tiough of the sea, rolling over to an angle of 40 degrees. It is. remarkable that, apart from the steering gear, the only damage sustained was that a life-boat was smashed by a .sea. The officers Jtfid crew hud soma miraculous escapes. Captain Bigg, commander of the vessel, was washed along the deck among some wreckage from the steering house and had his arm badly bruised.