BATTLE WITH A STORM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21298, 27 September 1932, Page 9

BATTLE WITH A STORM

NORFOLK ISLAND " BLOW "

RISKS RUN BY BOATMEN CARGO LOADING DIFFICULTIES [from our, OWN correspondent] NORFOLK ISLAND, Sept. 20 A very heavy swell, said to be the result of a hard "blow" between Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island, faced the Morinda when she arrived here from Vila. On shore nearly 4000 cases of produce, mostly new potatoes and bananas, awaited shipment to Sydney. The weather steadily grew worse, with wind and rain, and the courageous boatmen took great risks in their endeavours to load the cargo. The great seas pounding on to the reef at Kingston and sweeping round the "niggerhead" constantly threatened _disastcr.

The snapping of an oar at a critical moment threw two men into the water, but, with true island dexterity, they regained their craft. Once a great sea threw the boat on to the "niggerhead," washing two men out of the boat and soaking the other occupants, including some officials. Another whaleboat from the shore picked up the swimmers. Loading had to be abandoned and the steamer went round to the other side of the island for shelter.

Replying to an inquiry cabled to Sydney, the Burns, Philp Company ordered the steamer to stand by and pick up all the cargo. Both the wind and rain increased. On shore* the earthen roads were, on the flats, lanes of liquid mud, through which the teams and motor-lorries ploughed their way. For nearly six days the battle with the elements continued. The boatmen took advantage of every lull in the weather to get a few more cases on board. It was a muddy, tired but determined, and victorious, band of settlers and boatmen who waved farewell to the vessel as she steamed away in brilliant sunshine, nearly six days late, but with every package on board. At the request of the Executive Council, the Administrator, Captain C. R. Pinney, cabled to the owners an expression of the appreciation of the Norfolk Island community of the company's action in allowing the Morinda to remain under such, adverse circumstances.