A CYCLONIC STORM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18454, 16 January 1922, Page 2

A CYCLONIC STORM

GALE IN NEW SOUTH WALES. E. R. STERLING’S ESCAPE. Coastal shipping was dislocated as the' result of a cyclonic disturbance off the Now South Wale/ coast on January 2, and the ferry service to Manly, 'Sydney, had to be discontinued. Tremendous seas running made it a day of close vigil for shipping, and for tens of thousands of people it completely marred the holiday. Heavy seas, lashing themselves into a thundered all day on beaches which were deserted, and which, ordinarily, would have been crowded with holiday-makers. At Newcastle, and at South Head also, the wind readied a velocity of 60 miles an hour during the day. In Sydney it swept along at 40 miles an hour in the morning, reaching 48 miles at 8.5 p.m. During tho height cf the storm, the six-masted barquontine E. R. Sterling, which was lying in Athol Bight, began to drag her anchors, and for a f©w hours the vessel was in peril of being driven ashore. Early in the evening Captain Carmichael, ■ tho master of the vessel, becoming alarmed, signalled for aid. The pilot steamer, Captain Cookj was in Watson’s Bay at the time. Owing to the heavy teas running at the heads, and the probable danger to shipping outside, it was considered inadvisable to allow tho pilot steamer to leave her station, and a tugboat was sent to her assistance. Toward 9 o’clock tho storm increased in violence, and, although strenuous efforts weld made to hold .the vessel, the barquontino whs at times driven toward Taronga Park. About this time she was less than 200 yards from the shore. 'As tho wind abated, however, she was pulled out again. After struggling hard against the elements for about two hours, further assistance was sought, and at about 10 o’clock a second tugboat was despatched. With the tugboats at her side all danger of the vessel being driven ashore was past. Writing from Newcastle on January 2, the correspondent of a Sydney paper says: A terrific south-easterly gale has raged all day to-day at Newcastle, and is blowing to-night with unabated fury. Mountainous seas arc running along tho coasts, and all shipping is hold up. There have been no arrivals at or departures from the port all day. During this morning the wind was blowing with a velocity of 60 miles per hour, while occasional squalls blew at the rate of 70 miles. This afternoon, however, tho gale increased, and the wind was blowing at the rate of 80 miles per hour. One heavy squall registered 90 miles. Tonight the wind has veered round to the south and south-west, and is still blowing strongly. Huge seas are breaking across tho entrance to the port, and tho “bar dangerous’’ signal is being displayed at Nobby’s. Heavy rain is falling, and is being driven-on furiously by the wind. The signal-master reported to-night that it was impossible/ to see more than 100 yards from tho lighthouse. Masters and crews of vessels on the har-

hour have had an anxious day. _ This morning the schooner Malahat got into difficulties, but was quickly remoored with the aid of a tug. Tho steamer AHenwood broke adrift, and while she was being secured ono of her crew had two of his fingers badly crushed. The steamer Newcastle did some slight damage to the Hunter River Company’s wharf while berthed there.

Nothing further has been seen of the steamer Iron Baron, which arrived off the port yesterday morning, but Inter stood out to sea. , It is probable that she is hove to some little distance away. Even if the vessel approached tho coast now it would be impossible for her to enter, because it is doubtful whether any ship could cress the bar in the sea which is running at the present time. The scone from the ocean front at Newcastle to-night is riiagnificent, the whole being one mass ol white foam. Huge waves are breaking over the baths and promenade, and spray is being flung high over the houses near the, beach. In spite of tho weather, a largo' number _of people are gathered on tho beach watching tho storm’s play.