THE WINGATUI.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18857, 9 May 1923, Page 4

THE WINGATUI.

RETURNS TO LYTTELTON. * A ROUGH HANDLING. Tho Union Company’s cargo steamer Wingatui, which left Lyttelton on Saturday night for Dunedin, and which encountered the full force of the heavy south-east gale off Banks .Peninsula- during tho week-end, returned to port shortly after 4 o’clock on Monday afternoon (states yesterday’s Press). The ship, which was “flying very light,” encountered a tremendous sea when rounding tho Peninsula during the early hours of Sunday, and rolled and pitched in the most violent manner. The gale was one of the worst experienced on the coast for n long time, and at times the ship was almost unmanageable. As the day wore on tho weather became worse, and, as there was a possibility of the vessel becoming quite unmanageable, and even a- risk of her getting, into danger on the lee shore on the rocky coast of the Peninsula, the master •(Captain Paul) sent out a wireless message telling of his position. Fortunately assistance was not required, and the Wingatui. late on Sunday night, gave up the unequal struggle and was turned back to Lyttelton. A glance at the ship at the wharf on Monday was sufficient to explain the trouble. The Wingatui was in the lightest of trim, and her propeller was nearly naif out of the water. Actually she was drawing 9ft forward and lift 6in aft, far too little, -with her high superstructure and low power, to attempt to fight against the gale. The vessel is undamaged, except_ that her engines have had a good shaking up. Tho after hold was not flooded, as reported, this measure being kept as a last resource. “You’ve had the whole story,_ such as it is, by wireless, on Monday night.” said Captain W. Paul, master of the Wingatui, when seen nn arrival. “I’ve had 32 hours on tho "bridge, and now I’m after a hot hath. I don’t oven know, at what time I sent tho messages,” he continued. _ “I remember the wireless operator reporting that the message hot! been sent, and picked up, and that all stations had been closed down iu order to listen for us.” “Yes,” He said in reply to a query, “all hands were on the job; Wo had tho stokehold double hanked, and there was any amount of steam. If we could only have got a grip of the water”—he broke off as ho disappeared m the direction of the bathroom. No seas had been shipped—the vessel was too high out of tho water for that, but heavy rain and drenching spray had soaked everything. Tho following story was gathered from those on board:—After a strenuous time all day on Sunday, during which the vessel appeared to bo “ digging a hole in the same place,” Captain Paul gave .orders, about half-past 7, to attend boat stations and prepare the . boats for au emergency. The ship was labouring and rolling heavily, sending moveable objects flying in all directions. Extra provisions and comforts were placed in tho boats, and lifebelts donnod in accordance with the usual practice when attending boat stations. Orders' wore carried out quickly and quietly, and there was absolutely no sign or excitement or panic. Absolute confidence was shown in tho master during tho crisis. All available hands -wero told off to shift cargo in tho after hold to make raady for flooding. Fortunately, this last measure was not necessary, and the cargo was undamaged. Two hours later word was passed by the master that tho worst of tho clanger was over, and some members of tho crew could bo relieved. This nows was received with groat polief by tho men, but at tho same time rest was out of tho question. It was impossible to lie or even git down, so badly was the vessel being tossed about, and the only thing to do was to stand up and hold on to something solid. The superstructure was alto straining badly, and water leaked' into the saloon and the officers’ quarters. Ordinary watches were sot for tho remainder of the night, and the watch below secured what rest it could. Daylight did little to aid matters, so thick was the weather, while all tho time tho wind velocity was terrific. Later the wind and sea moderated somewhat, although still high. About noon the weather cleared sufficiently for the high land of the Peninsula to bo seen, and a course was set for Lyttelton. Tho heavy sea continued, however, until the vessel was well into tho harbour.

The engineers • also had a most trying time. With the propeller only partly in the water at the best of tiroes, and often spinning high iu the air, continued care was necessary in nursing tho engine. The throttle was in continual use, to shut off steam when the stern rose, and open up again when it fell and make the most of the few seconds’ grip of tho water.

The whole of the ship's company speak in terms of praise of Captain Paul’s seamanship, and say that he acted, in the time of grave danger, in accordance with the highest traditions of the Mercantile Marino. A start was made on Monday night to discharge part of' tho Wingatui’s cargo. A quantity of mail matter for Dunedin was also discharged. The vessel was in urgent need of coal when she returned, and would have been unable to have reached Dunedin even if the weather had moderated sufficiently.