STORM IN COOK STRAIT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19625, 2 May 1927, Page 8

STORM IN COOK STRAIT.

BUFFETING OF SHIPPING. SEVERAL PROLONGED VOYAGES. DAMAGE TO THE RUAPEHU, [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.! •WELLINGTON. Saturday. With but slight moderation the southerly gale has continued to considerably hamper coastal shipping. Hail and rain squalls, accompanied by high wind and heavy seas, make the conditions for shipping far from favourable, but no serious damage has been reported. The Maori, which received a severe buffeting on her trip south the night before last, had a good run from Lyttelton last night, arriving at Wellington at the time this morning. High following seas and the strong southerly wind, however, were more of an advantage than a disadvantage. The Opihi and the Wingatui, which also arrived from Lyttelton this morning, both reported similar conditions and ran to schedule time. The Wahine, which left here on time last night, arrived at Lyttelton an hour late. The Arahura arrived hero from Nelson on time this morning, but the Nga;o, after her sailing time had been altered last night to midnight, did not leave Wellington for Nelson until 4 o'clock this morning, as she was waiting for the weather to abate. She passed the Arahura at 5 o'clock-and was due at Nelson about 2 o'clock this afternoon. The Kauri, with coal from Newcastle, did not arrive at Wellington until this morning, although she passed the Marama, which left Wellington at 3 p.m. yesterday for Sydney, just off Stephen Island. Very bad conditions prevailed in Cook Strait, resulting in the vessel having to considerably reduce speed. Vessels shaping a southerly course met the full force of the gale. The Ruapehu left Wanganui at midnight on Thursday in the height of the storm, having to leave several lighters of cargo in the roadstead. She also had to bring several stevedores to Wellington as they could not be landed at Wanganui. Very high seas and a terrific wind were encountered on the way down the coast and considerable damage was done to the railings of the forward promenade deck. The steamer did not arrive afc Wellington until well after mid-day yesterday. The Inaha, after leaving Wanganui at 7 o'clock on Wednesday evening, had a good trip as far as Kapiti Island, where she ran into the gaie. The little ship received a severe tossing about and did not make Wellington until a quarter past seven last evening, the trip having taken 24 hours instead of the usual 12 hours. The Hurunui reached Wellington at 8.20 o'clock this morning after a very rough trip from Gisborne. She left there at 3.15 p.m. on Thursday and met the full force of the gale all the way down the coast. She had to slow down considerably between Castlepoint and Cape Palliser. Whereas the trip from Gisborno should have taken from 20 to 22 hours, it took nearly 30 hours.