STORMS AT SEA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20087, 2 May 1927, Page 12

STORMS AT SEA.

TERRIFIC WINDS ENCOUNTERED NORTH ISLAND SHIPPING DELAYED. (Bpzoial to Uailt Times.) WELLINGTON, April 30. With but a slight moderation the southerly gale continues to hamper considerably shipping around the coast. Hail and rain squalls accompanied by high winds and terrific seas make the conditions for shipping far from favourable, but there is, as yet, no serious damage reported. The Maori, which received a severe buffeting on her trip south the night before last, had a good run from Lyttelton last night, arriving at Wellington right on time. , The high following seas, and the strong southerly wind, however, were more of an advantage than a disadvantage. The Opihi and the Wingatui, which also arrived from Lyttelton this morning, both reported similar conditions as the Maori, and ran right up to schedule time. The Wahine, which left here on time last night, arrived at Lyttelton an hour late. The Arahura arrived here on time, but the Ngaio, after her sailing time had been altered last night to midnight, did not get away from Wellington for Nelson until 4 o’clock this morning, as she was waiting for the weather to abate. She passed the Arahura at 5 o’clock, and was due at Nelson about 2 o’clock this afternoon. The Kauri, with coal from Newcastle, did not arrive at Wellington until this morning, although she passed the Marama, which left Wellington at S p.m. yesterday for Sydney, just off Stephen s ' Island. Very bad conditions prevailed in Cook Strait, the vessel having to reduce speed considerably. Those vessels shaping a southerly course met the full force of the gale. The Ruapehu left Wanganui at midnight on Thursday in the height of the storm, having to leave several lighters of cargo in roadstead. She also had to bring several stevedores down to Wellington, as they could not be landed at the northern port. Very high seas and a terrific wind were encountered on the way down the coast, and considerable damage was done to the railings of the forward promenade deck. She did not arrive at Wellington until well after midday yesterday. The Inaha, after leaving Wanganui at 7 o’clock on Wednesday night, had a good trip to Kapiti Island, where she ran into the gale. The little ship received a bad tossing about,, and did not make Wellington until a quarter-past 7 last night, the trip having taken 24 hours instead of the usual 12, The Hawera is hove to in Titahi Bay waiting for the weather to moderate, and the Totara, en route from New Plymouth to Wellington, put into Picton shortly after 8 o’clock this morning. She stood on her course again, however, at half-past 9, and should arrive here late this afternoon.

The Hurunui reached here at 850 a.tn., after a very rough trip from Gisborne. She left there at 3.15 p.m. on Thursday, and met the full force of the gale all the way down the coast. She had to stow up considerably between Castlepoint and Cape Palliser. Damage was threatened at one point to the forward hatch, but prompt action soon made things safe and sound. Whereas the trip from Gisborne should have taken from 20 to ?2 hours, it took close on 30 hours. The Port Caroline, with passengers and cargo for London, via Montevideo, left the Pipitea wharf yesterday afternoon, but it was not considered advisable to put to sea, so the vessel anchored in the stream overnight, and sailed this morning. Several of the smaller coastal boats are held np at Wellington waiting for the weather to moderate.