COASTAL VESSELS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17178, 7 February 1930, Page 6

COASTAL VESSELS

DELAYED THROUGH GALE WAIMEA & MARGARET W LATE The delays in the arrival hero of the coastal vessels Margaret W, Wainioa, and Awahou were duo to the south-easterly gale which raged -along the East Coast on Wednesday and yesterday. Advice from various points on the Coast yesterday indicated that heavy seas were running at most places. Vessels between here and Auckland were obliged to seek shelter, and consequently the timetables' of the ships engaged in the AucklandEast Coast-Gisbornc service were considerably disorganised. The Waimea and Margaret W were delayed for over 10 hours as a result of the gale, arriving here at 4.30 last night. The gale was the worst he had experienced for many years, Captain G. W. Evans, of the Waimea, said to-day. Leaving Auckland on Tuesday evening, the Waimea ran into a moderate -\ southerly soon after passing Cape Cob ville. The gale increased to a hant sou'-enster in the Bay of Plenty, and flic steamer was buffeted to some extent'by heavy seas, the waves coming right over the lower decks on several occasions. At times the Waimea was averaging only ji little over one knot progress, but despite this she was in sight of East Cape at 1 a.m. yesterday. Tremendous seas were running at the Cape, and the vessel returned to shelter, resuming her voyage again at 4 o'clock. The second time she "was successful, though the sea was exceptionally rough, big waves breaking over tiie bow and keeping the lower decks awash. Tho gale moderated towards noon yesterday, but big seas were encountered for the remainder of the voyage, and the Waimea arrived in the roadstead at 10.35 p.m. Similar weather conditions were experienced by the motor ship Margaret W, which left Auckland on Tuesday afternoon for Hicks Bay, Tokomaru Bay, Tolaga Bay, and Gisborne. The vessel was unable to pass East Capo on Wednesday night, but successfully rounded the point yesterday morning. In view of the heavy sens running at each of the coastal 'ports,, j the Margaret W came direct, and will call at the intermediate ports on her return trip to Auckland. She had on board five racehorses, Big Bertha, St. Ames, White Wings, Little Gift, and Helium, which should have been here to iill engagements at the Gisborne Racing Club's meeting yesterday. The horses were landed this morning. In the southern service, the Pakura, bound from Wellington to Gisborne, was at Napier when the gale broke. She escaped the worst of the storm, arriving here on schedule. The Parera, with general produce from Lyttelton and Picton for Gisborne, was not delayed through the gale. The vessel worked Wnikokopu yesterday, coming on hero last night.