ARRIVAL OF THE ROTOMAHANA.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 961, 27 November 1879, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE ROTOMAHANA.

A TEMPESTUOUS PASSAGE. The Union Co.'s s.s. Rotomahana, Capt. Underwood, arrived m the Bay at 8.30 this morning. She left Sydney at 8.15 a.m. on the 20th inst., starting with a light southwest wind, which increased to a gale toward noon, with a high sea. After that it increased to hurricane force, with tremendous sea. At 0.20 p.m. a heavy sea ■was shipped, smashing one boat, skylights, etc., and washing a sailor named Alex. McLeUan overboard. The unfortunate man joined the ship at Port Chalmers on the 6th of this mouth. The chief officer. Mr. Parsons, had a miraculous escape by the same sea. Again, at 11.30 p.m., another heavy sea was shipped, smashing m the after skylight and washing a quantity of fruit overboard. The vessel behaved admirably throughout. The weather continued with unabating fury until the morning of the 22ud instant, when it moderated to a south-west gale, which lasted twenty-four hours. Since then light south-west winds and fine weather until arrival. During the heaviest of the storm the ship was kept before the wind and sea, and ran 125 miles out of her course. At 11.20 p.m. on the 20th passed a ship supposed to be showing signals of distress, but owing to the severe weather could not render any assistance. While the Rotomahana was at Russell an interesting ceremony took place. Mr. Underwood, the worthy skipper, was presented with a testimonial signed numerously by the passengers. The following is a short abstract of the testimonial : — "The exceptional circumstances of our recent voyage from Sydney has led us to believe that we should be wanting m our duty, and our gratitude to you if we did not give expression to a universal feeling of confidence inspired amongst us by the admirable management of your ship, and the cool courage and perfect discipline of your officers and crew, which, we believe, has alone, under the Almighty Providence, been the means of our escaping the imminent danger m which the ship was placed during the severe gale we encountered. With sincere expressions of esteem and gratitude we desire to remain, etc."