SHIP DELAYED BY GALE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20257, 17 May 1929, Page 10

SHIP DELAYED BY GALE.

HOVE-TO FOR HOURS.

DEVON OFF CAPE EGMONT.

WIRELESS BEARING SECURED.

[BV TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

NEW PLYMOUTH. Thursday,

The full force of a south-easterly gale which has been raging for several days was encountered by the liner Devon on nearing Cape Egmont last night on her voyage from Timaru to New Plymouth. At 8.30 o'clock tho captain wirelessed that the vessel was hove-to and that it would be impossible to arrive at New Plymouth to-day. The weather must have then improved somewhat, for at 11.40 p.m. the vessel resumed her voyage up the coast and the captain advised by radio that he hoped to reach New Plymouth at 10.30 a.m. to-day. However, as Cape Egmont was approached, the storm increased again, for the Devon was hove-to again.

Early this morning the captain wirelessed that the vessel was hove-to west of Cape Egmont and that the probable time of her arrival could not be stated. Visibility must have been very poor at this time, for the captain asked what was the state of the weather at New Plymouth and if there was a vessel in port from which the Devon could take a wireless bearing. The Port Campbell was still in port and the necessary bearing was given.

The fishing fleet at Moturoa has suffered by the heavy sea raised in the harbour. A launch belonging to Mr. A. Frewin broke adrift and was washed against the wharf, where it was reduced to a wreck. It is also reported that a launch owned by Mr. H. McKain has disappeared, having either sunk afc her moorings or drifted out to sea. The ketch Piri, en route to Dunedin, is still at anchor sheltering.