SHIP IN STORMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23602, 11 March 1940, Page 8

SHIP IN STORMS

DAMAGE BY WIND FLYING-BRIDGE LOST ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND Caught in a hurricane near the NewHebrides three weeks ago when bound for a Pacific Island port to load for New Zealand, a Union Company steamer which arrived at Auckland last night had (lie woodwork of her living bridge smashed in by tlie fury of the wind, estimated by her master to have a velocity of JOO miles an hour, (ilass sheltering the bridge was also shattered. Another Union Company vessel which will call at Auckland was also in the hurricane, and is thought to have suffered fairly severely. Last night's arrival ran into another storm when Hearing Auckland. As a result, she arrived two days late, and some members of her company had their first sleep last night for three days. The hurricane; came up suddenly on February IS. Fortunately for the ship, she was in light trim, and was able to ride the seas. The living bridge, a structure for the standard compass built above the bridge, was exposed to the full fury of the wind, and the woodwork collapsed like matchwood, fragments showering those on the bridge below. A heavy Morse signalling lamp was also blown down. Blowing hard for about an hour from one direction, the wind changed round and blew with redoubled fury from the opposite point of the compass.