A STORMY VOYAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23591, 30 August 1938, Page 8

A STORMY VOYAGE

MELANESIAN MISSION STEAMER VESSEL. BEHAVES WELL CREW OF ISLAND BOYS (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Aug. 29. A stormy voyage was experienced by the Melanesian mission steamer Southern Cross, which arrived at Auckland thiss morning after a run of nine days from Port Vila, in the New Hebrides, which she cleared last Saturday week. The vessel began her voyage from Tulagi, in the Solomon Islands, and after undergoing hef Lloyd’s survey in Auckland will (leave for the Islands about Septembbr 25. There was a (strong south-easterly blow on the run to Vanikora, in the Santa Cruz group, which strengthened in force on the trip to Port Vila. After leaving the latter port there was a brief spell of fine weather, which was brought to an end by a heavy north-easterly running to gale force. Heavy, mountainous seas slowed the vessel down, but she behaved well. At midnight on Saturday, when close to the New Zealand coast, the gale had increased to such force that the ship was hove to for more than four hours. A few heavy seas came on board, the cook’s galley being awash for a short time. Water also entered some of the cabins on the lower deck, but no structural damage was done to the ship. In spite of the heavy weather and the huge roll at the height of the sterm the crew of Island boys did not seem to be affected, and Captain T. A. Macpherson, master of the vessel, was full of praise for them this morning. One incident that brightened the voyage was the arrival of a baby albatross at the height of the storm seeking refuge from the gale. It was found on deck near the captain’s cabin. Alongside the ship flew the mother crying to her baby, but the youngster was too tired to move. An attempt was made to feed the young bird with biscuit, but it refused food. Later it was put over to join its mother, but it came back to shelter. In the night it left the shin and was seen no more. A number of whales were also seen, two of them being particularly large. To the great interest of the crew and the passengers the mammals were obliging enough to “ spout.”