BUFFETED BY GALES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 388, 23 June 1928, Page 1

BUFFETED BY GALES

NORTHUMBERLAND’S STORMY VOYAGE SHIP’S HATCH STOVE IN The Federal Steam Navigation Company’s steamer Northumberland, which arrived at Auckland yesterday afternoon from Liverpool, had a stormy passage across the Pacific. Soon after leaving Panama Canal the vessel ran into hard southerly to westerly gales, and for the next fortnight she had to fight her way in the face of high head seas. "Waves repeatedly broke on board and flooded the decks. To prevent serious damage it was on three occasions necessary for the vessel to heaveto. When the storm was at its height, last Thursday, an exceptionally heavy sea broke over the bow and stove in Xo. 1 hatch, situated on the forecastle head. As soon as possible, fresh covers were put over the hatch, and extra planking was lashed on top of the covers. While the work was being done the course was altered and the speed moderated. The Northumberland has no ordinary deck hands, the work being done by cadets. For them the voyage was unpleasant, but it afforded good experience for these coming officers of the British Merchant Marine.