DISABLED STEAMER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10725, 23 June 1906, Page 2

DISABLED STEAMER.

900 MILES UNDER MAKESHIFT SAILS.

(Press Assn.— By Telegraph.-- -Copyright.) (Received June 23, 10.13 a.m.) PERTH, June 23. Tlie steamer Norfolk, of the Federal* Houlder line, left Durban on May 28th, and encountered very rough weather. On June 10th, the engines began to race, and it was aiscertained the propellor ltad broken off flush with, the stern poets Every available bit of sail was set, and the vessel got under control, but she became unmanageable in a gale on the 12th, lurching dangerously. The foresails wero blown away. Oil was used to calm the seas. A new mainsail was set, but ow. ing to the heavy weather the steamer refused to answer her helm. The difficulty was overcome by pumping out the tanks iu the forepart and filling those at the other end. , On June 15th and 16th gales which threatened the flimsy makeshift sails were^ encountered. The Ofew set to work in| putting banks on to strengthen the can* vas, and otlier» constructed two large sea. anchors in ease the vessel was blown inshore. Every precaution was taken to meet contingencies. On the following Tuesday nigjvt ft fierce squall came up, and the vowel was put head before the wind, and bowled along splendidly until Thursday, when the mainsail earned away. By joining hatch'oovorings and odd pieces of canwofi the vessel was again trot under way, and managed to reach the vicinity of Fremantle. Distress signals were hoisted, and tugs came to her assistance. During tlie voyage a seaman named Christensen fell from aloft and was killed.