VESSEL IN GALE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20982, 19 September 1931, Page 10

VESSEL IN GALE.

RONAKI'S ROUGH TRIP. STORM ON WEST COAST. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] NEW PLYMOUTH, Friday. A strong south-westerly gale with heavy seas caused damago to the Northern Steamship Company's vessel Ronaki on her trip from Onehunga to New Plymouth. The vessel arrived here Inst night after a voyage of 28 hours from Manukau Heads. The Ronaki left Onehunga at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, but did not cross the Manukau bar until one o'clock the same day. From then on the Ronaki had to struggle against a fierce head wind. Gieat waves broke over the' vessel's bow and water made its way down the ventilators into the forecastle, and also into the engine-room. All through the night heavy seas continued, smashing a ladder and carrying away a portion of the deck railings near the bow. REPAIRS TO HATTTTJRU. NEW PROPELLER SHAFT FITTED. [BY TELEGRArH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] NEW PLYMOUTH, Friday. After being delayed at New Plymouth for seven days the Northern Steamship Company's motor-vessel Hauturu, which broke her propeller shaft last Friday, sailed early this morning for Wanganui to complete discharge of her Onehunga cargo. The new propeller shaft was fitted at low tide late last night under considerable difficulties, men having to work up to their waists in ice-cold water. The vessel had been run on to .a sandbank for I the purpose.