A STARTLING EXPERIENCE.
PASSENGERS ON AWARUA. FOREMAST STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. INVERCARGILL. January 20. Advice from Halfmoon Bay states that after being delayed from 7 o’clock this morning the passengers by the Awarua to Bluff were subjected to further inconvenience at 1.30 this afternoon through unexpected circumstances. A crowd was congregated on the wharf and the passengers were on board, when the top of the foremast was struck by a bolt of lightning, the lamp on top and about three feet being carried away. The boat was enveloped in a smother of sparks and there was a terrific explosion. The lightning apparently travelled down the steel cable from the foremast to within a foot of the wheelhouse, where splinters of wood were sent in all directions. The mast itself was carried overboard, one steel wire was burnt through, and other minor damage was done. Fortunately no one suffered injuries, but the passengers received a considerable shock. The damage will amount to about £25. The trip will be undertaken tomorrow.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW19300128.2.197
Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 3959, 28 January 1930, Page 50
Word Count
168A STARTLING EXPERIENCE. Otago Witness, Issue 3959, 28 January 1930, Page 50
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