MOERAKI IN A GALE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8180, 23 July 1912, Page 1

MOERAKI IN A GALE

ROU6H TRIP TO SYDNEY MEMORABLE VOYAGE FOR. ALL ON BOARD. SPECIAL TO THE "TIMES." AUCKLAND, July 22. Tho 300 odd passengers were heartily thankful when the Union Steamship Company’s Moeraki (Captain Neville) reached Sydney at 2 o’clock on. Wednesday morning (nearly eighteen hours late), for they had had a terrible time \says the “Daily Telegraph”). The vessel left AVeilington at • 6 p.m. on Friday, and up to 7 p.m. on Sunday experienced perfectly calm seas. I'hcn the trouble commenced. The wind rose from the southward, and before long tho vessel was in a- gale of unusual severity. Through the night the fruit-locker _ and the ice-chest were blown down, the .bar was damaged, and a large quantity of crockery was broken. Chaos reigned in tho pantry. Tho seas became mountainous, and the waves frequently washed tho upper deck. Tho spectacular effect for tiiose who had tho fortitude to witness it was magnificent.

iacc), for they had had a terrible tuna \says the “Daily Telegraph”). The vessel left AVeiimgton at • 6 p.m. on hriday, and up to 7 p.m. on Sunday experienced perfectly calm seas. Then the trouble commenced. The wind rose from the southward, and before long the vessel was in a- gale of unusual severity. Through the night the fruit-locker . and the rco-chest were blown down, the .bar was damaged, and a large quantity of crockery was broken. Chaos reigned in the pantry. The seas became mountainous, and the waves frequently washed the upper deck. The spectacular effect for tnose who had the fortitude to witness it was magnificent. On Monday morning the storm greatly increased in violence, and to make matters worse the vessel took a great list starboard. The buffeting she received from the rollers was extreme, and the plight of the passengers became pitiable. Indeed, only the brave few (including a few ladies, bo it stated to their credit) essayed the balancing feats necessary to proceed to the saloon, and even then they met difficulty in handling the food on the table, sup-1 ported.as it was by “fiddles.” The remainder of the miserable 3 00 forced to their cabins managed as best tiny could, those on the starboard side having a particularly uncomfortable time. The gale never abated until the vessel was within cooeo of the heads. j Numberless injuries occurred to pas.* sengers and the crew. The first victim was the carpenter, 1?. Lcftwick, who was blown on to a stanchion, sustaining severe and painful injuries to the : groin. The sufferer' was attended by Dr Hoskins, of Mastorton, New Zoa-l land, and sent to the hospital. On the vessel’s arrival a great wave!

fell on tho promenade and temporarilv: Hooded tlio smokeroom. Mr Carlyle', Studholme, of Canterbury, rose to close : tlio door, but was forced on to a post and as a result had his left shoulder put out. Dr J. P. D. Leahv, of Xapier, Xcw Zealand, at once put it back, and the sufferer is. doing as well as can bo expected. Two ladies collided in the saloon, one' receiving * severe cut over the temple. One. of the passengers * got his nose smashed while■ descending’!!* companion- i way with a tray of erockerv. A stew- ' ardcss named Dixon fell, " sustaining shock and some severe bruises. A number of stewardesses and stew, ards were subjected to minor injuries and many passengers received sprain* and less severe hurts.