STEAMER IN A STORM

Taranaki Daily News, 3 October 1930, Page 4

STEAMER IN A STORM

BUFFETED BY SEVERE GALE. PASSENGERS’. SLEEPLESS NIGHT. ' Christchurch, Oct. 1. Tempestuous seis made the passage of the ferry steamer Maori from Wellington to Lyttelton last night a very boisterous one, and she did not arrive at Lyttelton until 10.55 o’clock this’ morning, about four and a-quarter . hours late. The passengers spent a sleepless night and slight damage Was done on deck, although motor-cars were out of harm’s way on the after deck. The Wingatui, now en route from . Wellington , tok Lyttelton, is also feeling the force of the stormy seas and will’not make bort until to-morrow morning. \ “The'trip was considerably worse than tile one on June. .I’2. last when the ship was three and a-half hours Igte,” said Ckptain Irwin, of the Maori. ,‘Tt was also worse than the one prior to that when motor-cars 'w.erb damaged on the forward deck. Last evening very; heavy head seas broke on the deck .ana one wrenched from its fastenings’, a. wire reel; Luckily, the motor-cars, were stowed on the after deck,- otherwise in all probability they would have been smashed'-by the heavy! seas.” . The weather was fairly fine in Wellington up to two o’clock,..yesterday afternoon, but after that a southerly "■ale sprang up and when the Maori left it was increasing in force. Severely buffeted in crossing Cook Straff-the vessel did not reach. Cape Canipbell,,until midnight, whereas, bn a usual run she is there by 10.15 p.m. Kaikoura was not abeam until 5.15 a.m., compared with 1.25 a.m. on a normal trip. . -.- •’ Aeainst the heavy weather reducco speed was necessary. The Maori was kept at 14 knots until 7.,o’clock- this mernin" and thereafter she logged la knots, °but it was poor progress compared with the .19 knqts ot which she is capable in good conditions. Passengers described the passage, as ore never to be forgotten. The vessel had tossed in the heavy seas all through the night and sleep had been out of the question. Luggage piled on bunks in the cabins was tossed about and many people experienced the greatest difficulty in walking. \ ■ .