SHIP IN STORM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23008, 8 April 1938, Page 10

SHIP IN STORM

■ * ' ROUGH TASMAN TRIP . i. DAMAGE TO THE RONA HOVE-'ro FOR 31 110CRS SEAS SMASH DOORWAYS With deck fittings smashed and her upperworks showing signs of a heavy buffeting, the Colonial Sugar Company's steamer llona reached Auckland last evening two days late on her voyage from "Newcastle. Until the ship was within 200 miles of Cape Maria van Dieman conditions in the Tasman Sea varied from a fresh to strong gale from the south and at one stage the.. Rona was forced to lay hove-to for 31 hours. Although the Rona was formerly well known at Auckland her present visit, from Probolingo, Java, with stigar, is her first to the port for nearly three years. She called at Newcastle last week for bunkers and - Captain Balharrie, formerly of the Fiona,- took over command, the voyage to Auckland being resumed on March 30. Laden down to her marks, the steamer was pounded by heavy seas after Newcastle was cleared. She had only about nine feet of freeboard and as a result green water continually swept her long open decks. The amidships deck and accommodation quarters aft suffered most from the weather, storm doorways being carried away and six portholes smashed in. r One of the lifeboats hanging in davits aft was thrown up by a heavy sea and was considerably damaged. Temporary storm doorways erected to replace those previously smashed were again carried away and when the gale reached a peak on Friday and Saturday the Rona was hove-to for a day and a-half. Temporary repairs to the broken portholes and theftj, was little time for rest for the Rona's complement. "There was plenty of excitement," said an officer last night. Conditions eased as the New Zealand coast was peared. On arrival the Rona proceeded to Chelsea, where she will discharge her cargo pf sugar.