THERESA WARD

Southland Times, Issue 22107, 30 August 1933, Page 7

THERESA WARD

VOYAGE TO SYDNEY TRYING EXPERIENCES OF CREW DECKS AWASH (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, August 29. The experiences of the crew of the tug Theresa Ward, which encountered stormy weather almost throughout her recent voyage from Bluff to Sydney, were related to a Post reporter to-day by Mr G, Clarke, one of the little vessel’s company, who returned by the Wanganella. Mr Clarke said the decks were awash from the second day out until the end of the voyage. Considering the weather the Theresa Ward proved herself a splendid seaboat. At the height of the storm conditions were so bad that several of the members of the crew feared that the ship might founder, but she rode out the heavy seas without damage. A drum of oil was lashed to the side and a hole made in it allowing the oil to escape and this had the effect of calming the seas, but even so the voyage was by no means comfortable. “Our cook had a particularly unpleasant task,” said Mr .Clarke. The seas were continually invading the galley and his fire was extinguished no fewer than five times. Two carcasses of meat which were hanging on the deck were washed off the hooks and could not be eaten, and for the greater part of the voyage tinned food was used. Walking along the deck was a hazardous matter, since there was always the danger that a big sea would sweep the deck and carry one overboard.” The storm lasted for about five days, during which the Theresa Ward was driven well over 100 miles ou.; r her course. Only 40 hours of good weather were experienced during the voyage. “One of the rudder chains broke on the fourth day out,” said Mr Clarke, “and it took several hours before repairs were completed. In the meantime the vessel was helpless and rolled violently in the heavv seas. By the time the tug reached Sydney everything on deck was smothered in oil and the upper works were encrusted with salt. Nobody on board had much sleep during the storm. As a matter of fact sleep was practically out of _ the question owing to the vessel’s liveliness.