END OF STORMY VOYAGE

Taranaki Daily News, 17 June 1930, Page 3

END OF STORMY VOYAGE

REMARKABLE ESCAPE OF BEULAH CARGO SHIPS IN HEAVY GALE. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—CopyrightBrisbane, < June 16. A perilous voyage was completed when the motor ship Beulah arrived at Townsville from San Francisco. Once the crew took to the lifeboats when the vessel seemed about. to capsize, but boarded the ship again. The story of the voyage was told by Captain Hart when the Beulah arrived at Apia oh May 7. Distinctly unusual weather developed, big seas came on board, and the vessel rolled in the long swell. There was a north-west wind, with periodical blinding squalls from the south-west. - . *

Through the night of April 24 the Beulah wallowed in the swell, which at daylight became worse. At 7 a.m. there came a crash. The Beulah was riding on the top of the swell. Suddenly the deck cargo shifted, with a smashing, crunching noise, to port. There was a tremendous strain on the lashings, and the vessel lay on her beam ends for over a quarter of an hour, with the sea washing the decks. The big weight of five cases of motor-cars, and benzine and kerosene prevented the vessel from rising to an even keel, and water found its way below decks.

When the Beulah showed no signs of rightina a section of the crew became alarmed and rushed to the lifeboats. The position was without question dangerous, and the important matter was to save the ship and the lives of the crew.

There appeared to be no way out but to dump the deck cargo overboard; The engines were slowed, and quick work followed. The engineer, Mr. Bromberg, with a hacksaw cut the steel lashings rapidly. The oil drums and a ship’s boat were carried away with them, and floated and drifted.

Relieved, of the weight, the Beulah slowly rose, but immediately listed to starboard and lay in a critical position. The crew feared that the cargo below had shifted, and there were several minutes of suspense.. However, the shin gave a favourable move and was righted. An inspection showed that on the port side the immense weight of the deck cargo had bulged the bulwarks two feet outwards for a length of 20 feet, as well as doing other damage. The danger was not past. The sea was strewn with benzine drums, and the captain feared that a live spark might ignite a leaking drum.' The vessel was moved to leeward of the floating drums. The’ship’s boat was found two miles away, in a much damaged condition and unfit for use. Having no wireless the captain made for Fanning Island, which was reached at 7 p.m. on May 7, to report to the owners. He then proceeded to Apia. The crew included 24 men from Samoa. The captain highly praises the work of Mr. Bromberg, who at great risk undertook to cut the lashings. The captain had grave fears that had this not been done the vessel might have foundered.