STORMY AT SEA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22194, 22 August 1935, Page 12

STORMY AT SEA

DELAY TO VESSELS CARGO SHIP BUFFETED ROUGH CONDITIONS ON BARS STEAMERS UNABLE TO ENTER Severe stormy weather during the last fivo days of the voyage was experienced by the steamer Willesden, which arrived nt Auckland from Liverpool, Nova Scotia, yesterday morning with a cargo of 4000 tons of newsprint fcr New Zealand. Genially fair weather prevailed until last Friday, after which a succession of south-west gales was encountered. The vessel was buffeted by high seas, which repeatedly broke on board and Hooded the deck, but no damage was done. So severe were the conditions that only 66 knots were steamed for the 24 hours on ono day and 96 knots on another day. The wind continued to blow at gale force until the steamer neared port, her arrival having been delayed by about two days. Tho prolonged spell of boisteroup weather on tho wast coast has caused considerable delay to coastal shipping, some of the bar harbours being unworkable. The motor-vessels Ronaki and Hokianga left Onehunga for Hokiatiga on Friday, but owing to the rougb state of the Hokianga Bar they were unable to enter that port. After the two vessels left Onehunga the weather became stormy and when they reached Hokianga on Saturday the bar was unworkable. Both vessels then stood out to sea untd Sunday, when they were again off Hokianga and unable to enter the port. The Ronaki then sailed north for shelter, and after rounding Cape Maria van Diemen she anchored at Monganui. There she received orders to come to Auckland to load and 6he arrived yesterday morning. The crew of the Ronaki did not sight the Hokiunga after Sunday and she is thought to be sheltering. The stormy weather has extended to the west coast of the South Island, where the bar harbours have been unworkable. The 6teamer Kiwitea has been barbound at Greymouth since Saturday, but it was hoped to despatch her for Auckland yesterday afternoon. Storms in th? Tasman Sea also have delayed shipping. The steamer Benfaolm, which left Bluff for Sydney a week ago, was beset by gales and had to put into Westport, where she arrived yesterday to replenish her bunkers.