THE STORM AT SAMOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20174, 7 February 1929, Page 11

THE STORM AT SAMOA.

MAUI POMARE'S EXPERIENCE.

FORCED TO BACK OUT TO SEA.

BANANA CARGOES NOT LOADED

Exceptionally stormy weather was experienced at Samoa by the Government motor-ship Maui Pomare, which returned to Auckland, via Lvttelton and Wellington, yesterday afternoon. Owing to the cyclonic conditions prevailing the vessel had to leave Apia at short notice, and later was unable to work Niue Island.

The Maui Pomare reached Apia from Auckland, vja Nine Island, on the morning of January 16. The weather was calm, but the sky was dull and threatening,- and rain fell almost continuously. After mid-day on January 17 the wind commenced to rise from the north-west, and later a warning was received that a cyclonic storm was approaching. In the meantime, the vessel had been loading bananas, and in the evening passengers were embarked. At midnight the wjnd reached the force of a moderate gale, and Captain McDonald received orders from tho harbourmaster to slip moorings and proceed to sea. It was easier said than dono, because the vessel was lying across the tide, and, owing to her engines being aft, and there being very little cargo in tho holds, it was found impossible to get tho vessel's head to tho wind. An attempt was made to swing her head to tho wind by letting go the anchor, but as soon as tho anchor was lifted the vessel's high bgw swung off before the wind again. Eventually Captain McDonald had to back the Maui Pomare out of the harbour stern first against the wind and sea. This was particularly difficult, because tho entrance to the harbour is a gap of only about a quarter-of-a-inile between two coral reefs, and visibility was bad because of the storm and heavy rain. The reef was passed shortly after one o'clock in the morning, and afterwards tho vessel steamed to sea and hove-to 10 miles from the land. After tho Maui Pomare had been hove-to for 11 hours, the storm gave no indication of abating, and Captain McDonald was advised by wireless that the harbour would not be workable for two days. In consequence, ho decided to make for Niue Island, which .was reached on the morning of January 20. The Maui" Pomare was no better off at Niue, because the storm was still blowing, and there was a very heavy sea at the loading anchorage. The vessel had to anchor on the lee side of tho island, and remained there for three days. So much time had been lost owing to the storm that it. was decided to abandon any further attempts to load, and on January 23 the vessel left for Lyttelton. When 100 miles south of Niue Island, the Maui Pomare got out of the storm area, and fine weather afterwards prevailed. Eighteen passengers had embarked at Apia before the vessel had to depart, but she left 1500 cases of bananas behind. No passengers could be embarked at Niue Island, nor could the vessel load 2500 cases of bananas, which were ready for shipment.