MAKURA IN A STORM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21694, 12 July 1932, Page 8

MAKURA IN A STORM

SHIP SEVERELY BUFFETED AN OFFICER’S NARRATIVE (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 11. Battling her way through the centre of a cyclonic storm during the first two days out from Sydney, the Makura, which arrived in port shortly after 1 p.m. today, about six hours late, experienced one of the worst Tasman crossings that has fallen to her lot during the years she has been in the Sydney-San Francisco mail service. “ There was a strong southerly and heavy rain when we left Sydney,” said one of the ship’s officers, describing the trip, “ and We had everything battened down and the forepeak cleared before we cleared the Heads. Outside it was blowing a full gale, with a very heavy southeasterly swell, and the wind steadily increased, reaching storm force by 6 p.m. The 1 high wind caused high, dangerous, breaking seas, which broke across the ship. We had reduced speed to eight knots, but we wete making only about five knots. We were continually shipping seas, and heavy spray and light water swept right over the ship. In order to protect the ship, we constantly had. to change our course so as to shoulder the seas. A ship goes best when taking seas slightly on the beam instead of directly head on. The wind continued to blow at gale force during Friday night, with high seas and a confused swell The weather then gradually veered through the south-west to westward, and as the wind drew aft we were gradually able to increase speed again. Blinding rain fell practically all the time, and the ship pitched and tossed heavily. The average speed from 4 p.m. on Thursday, when the ship left Sydney, until noon on Friday, was about nine knots, compared with the customary 15 knots. Although the ship was still rolling heavily, the gale moderated considerably on Saturday when speed was increased,, the average for the day being 13J knots. On Sunday the ship ran into a heavy east-south-east swell which made her pitch almost as badly as before and caused further discomfort to the passengers. “ From Stephens Island to Wellington the sea was smooth, and some of them put in an appearance at lunch to-day,” said the officer, when asked how the passengers stood up to the rough passage. Most of them kept to their cabins throughout the trip. There was one exception, however, and that was a little girl about 15, who never missed a meal.” The Makura came through the storm practically unscathed, although minor damage was done. Portion of the teak railing on the starboard side on the main deck was carried away, but otherwise, except for a coating of salt on the funnel, there was little evidence to-day of the buffeting the,ship had received.