SMALL VESSEL IN A GALE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18511, 23 March 1922, Page 5

SMALL VESSEL IN A GALE

THE HUIA BUFFETED. UNABLE TO CROSS BARS. CP** United Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, March 22. After an anxious and trying time through exceptionally heavy weather the small steamer Huia arrived here to-day, the captain having decided to run for. shelter. The vessel usually runs from Opelpsnga to Port Waikato. Port Waikato was left at 11 o’clock on Monday morning in a moderate westerly heavy eea. and the Manakau Heads were reached in the evening. Terrific seas on the bar prevented the vessel from crossing, and she was buffeted severely. Monday night was spent on the coast, md as there wes no improvement in the weather on Tuesday the steamer returned to Waikato bar. There also it was too dangerous to attempt to cross. At midday Csfjtaia Jackson decided to run to New Plymouth, the vessel being rjery short of qoal apsl provisions. Sails were set to economise in coal, and the port was reached at half -pot eix o’clock thie morning, with the bunkers practically bare, and no food except a few biscuits.