HEAVIEST SEAS IN MEMORY.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 23, 22 March 1918, Page 5

HEAVIEST SEAS IN MEMORY.

The Nelson “Colonist’’ reports that

a big sea got up in the bay very quickly. The Pateena which reached port shortly after 2 a.m., had a good run. In the early forenoon when the gale was at its maximum the seas in the bay were very high, and presented a magnificent spectacle. The departure of the Pateena was put off till 2 pm., but the sailing was further delayed till 10 p.m. Experienced nautical men with 20 to 40 years’ acquaintance with the bay say that they never before saw such seas there. From the lower end of the town the seas could be seen mounting far above the Boulder Bank level, and from the wharf or Wakefield Quay the crest of the surges could be seen half as high as the lighthouse tower. The waves were not breaking over the Boulder Bank, as would have been the case in a nor’-wester, but under the nor’-caster the breakers came right down the bay, and could be seen miles out to Sea.

Under the combined pressure of wind and wave Mr P. Moore’s line yacht, “The Wanderer,” which was anchored on the Boulder Bank side, broke from her moorings, and before any assistance could be sent struck the mole on the harbour side and sank immediately.

The scow Vindex was in trouble at the wharf. The forepart of the vessel got under the wharf as far as the foremast, the jibboom and rigging being carried away. The tide was rising, and there was grave danger of the vessel’s filling and foundering if not freed. A very strenuous time was put in by a large gang of helpers and the vessel was finally released and made secure. Mr Wm. Stuart, telephoning,on Tuesday from the Croixelles, said' that he had never before seen such a sea off the Croixelles as was then running. At the height of the storm the scow Oban, which was lying at the wharf at North Cape, loaded with coal and ready to sail for Nelson, was struck by a heavy sea and sank at her moorings. The crew got ashore safely. The owners of the scow, Messrs Tasker and Lcvicn, were unable to get further information on Tuesday owing to interruption of communication. The Gannet, owned by Mr W, Tregidga, of the Port, which was also lying at North Capo, sustained somewhat severe damage, her topmast and bulwarks being carried away. Tho storm is believed to have rendered the prospect of salvaging the scow Kapua, which struck Bark reef on Saturday morning, and was subsequently towed to Tonga Bay, more remote. At Auckland a cyclonic storm caused much damage in port and in the suburbs. A large number of small craft wore driven ashore, and the wharves at the North Shore were awash in the stormy sea. The grandstand at Alexandra Park was wrecked and the roof blown across the street. A Kaikoura message states that a

gale did extensive damage to the fishermen’s wharf. Two launches broke from their moorings and were wrecked. Heavy seas encroached on premises in tho lower part of the town. The flood dislocated tho railway service near Nelson, about four bridges on tho lino near Brightwater being damaged. One small bridge was washed away entirely, and another had tnreo of its piers hanging. The length of line affected by the flood water was about a mile, and it, is considered that traffic cannot be restored within a week. A number of slips, blocking road traffic arc reported from all directions.

Thousands of sheep and cattle had been lost, and many homesteads burned. Sawnnillors had been heavy losers, including Mercer, Harris, Peterson, and Knight (of Ractihi), and Carter (of Horopito). All the cottages in which the w'orkmcn lived had been wdped out. Hundreds of refugees had been brought to Ohakune and billeted with residents of the township. Large numbers of these people spent the night in ditches, and culverts.

The passengers wdio left Wellington by the mid-day express on Tuesday were acquainted of the fact that 70 feet of sleepers of the viaduct near Horopito had been burned, and that it would be necessary for them to traverse the viaduct on foot. It was not anticipated that any danger wmuld attend the process.