STORM TOSSED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23284, 1 March 1939, Page 12

STORM TOSSED

VESSEL IN CYCLONE

TOLTEN REACHES PORT - PACIFIC EXPERIENCE ; TERRIFIC SEAS MET ■ After a 24-hour battle with a cyclone in the South Pacific Inst week, tho Union Company's chartered motor-fehip Tolten, of 534S tons, arrived at Auckland yesterday afternoon from tho Pacific Coast, via Papeete. Unable to hold her course in tho teeth of the cyclone, tho Tolten was 260 miles off her normal steaming track when conditions moderated, and was fortunate in being able to proceed to port without damage. On leaving Papeete for Auckland on February 18 tho ship ran into heavy rain lasting for four days, tho downpour being followed by tho cyclonic storm which burst on the vessel. Tho south-west course of the Tolten was altered to north-west in order to run before tho high wind and terrific seas before she could resume her courso. The master of the vessel > Captain Evans, stated yesterday that tho fact that the ship was in good trim probably saved her from damage. Had she been deeply loaded the Tolten would have received a sovere battering. Heavy seas mounted tho ship as she was swept before tho cyclone. As waves occasionally lashed tho foredeck, on which a cargo of livestock was carried, the squealing of four pigs could bo heard even above* tho tumult of tho weather. The livestock, which also included six sheep, arrived safely.