STEAMER IN CYCLONE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17745, 4 April 1932, Page 3

STEAMER IN CYCLONE

ONE VESSEL IN DISTRESS EXPERIENCE OFF AUSTRALIA A severe cyclone off the Australian coast on Easter 5 Sunday was emounteged by the New Zealand Shipping Company’s motor ship Ornri. which arrived at Auckland from Livcrphol, via the ( ape of Flood Hope, on Friday. The vessel was nearing VV llson s Promontory early in the morning ami at 4 o'clock tin* west smith west, wind increased to a severe gale. For 12 hours it. blow in blinding squalls of hurricane force, accompanied by high seas. Ihe wind and sea wore on the vessel’s quarter iu'<l she was able to Continue her course, through Bass Strait at a slow snccd. During the storm the wind changed to the west-north-west amt ai 4 o'clock in the afternoon it abated. While the storm was at its height an S.O.S. message was picked up from the si earner Ma'rrawnh. Finch was in distress in Bass Strait owing to a breakdown in Hie engine room. The Oran did not proceed to Hie aid of the distressed vessel, as advice was , received that two other vessels were closer lo the Mnrrawah. which eventually reached poid unaided. After passing through Bass Strait the Ornri experienced strong north-east winds and rough head seas until altei she had rounded Cape Maria' Aan Dieman. when the conditions improved. ■Herald.