SWEPT BY A TIDAL WAVE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12036, 7 May 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

SWEPT BY A TIDAL WAVE.

$_ . NELSON, April 29. The Mapourika had a sensatfonal experience shortly after leaving Wellington for Nel«nn last evening: When she'was just outside the heads a phenomenally heavy sea or tidal wave, about 25ft high, struck the vessel on her port bow and swept over her, making wreck of everything movable on the fore deck and amidships. It was then about 20 minutes to 6, and the passengers were at tea. The sea, striking the bulkhead, shattered the thick glass of two portholes, through which the water poured and completely Hooded the dining saloon from end to end. The tables were swept of their contents, and several of the passengers were cut by pieces of glass. The women screamed, and one or two fainted. The passengers thought the vessel was going to founder, and a few minutes of intense anxiety and excitement followed. After the wave had passed over her there were no further heavy seas, and the rest of the trip was fairly smooth. A great deal of damage was done about the fore dcck, : the ratlines being cut at a hsight of nearly 30ft, whilst tho deck cargo, consisting principally of kerosene, was com> pletely wrecked. Several seals were carried away, and the window of the charthouse was smashed in. The damage aft was not great, the sea merely shifting things about, but one of the funnel guys was carried away. It is considered certain that had a smaller steamer encountered tho sea she would have foundered. A preliminary inquiry concerning the damage done b'v the heavy wave to tho Mapourika was "hold tin's afternoon, before Mr Heaps, Collector of Customs. The evidence of the captain, third officer, steersman, chief steward, and Mr K. L. Nathan (a passenger) was taken. The latter said lliev were at tea at 5.30 when a heavy crash came, and the water poured into the saloon through the porthole as from a !i!!sc. Those at the main tables suffered, some being hurt by broken glass. The stewards and officers did all they could, and the passengers were soon reassured. The whole thing was so sudden, it was hard to say what had happened, and all was over in a few minutes. i —-