A CHANNEL STORM

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1932, Page 9

A CHANNEL STORM

TAINUI’S EXPERIENCE. EVENTFUL VOYAGE. • An English Channel gale of exceptional severity, which' was encountered the first day put from London, constituted an unfavourable commencement of the voyage to New Zealand of the Shaw, Savill and Albion liner Tainui, which arrived at Wellington on Tuesday morning. The Tainui left London on December 3, and was severely buffeted on her way down the Channel by a south-westerly gale in which the wind frequently blew at over 50 miles an hour, and drove before it seas which made the steamer look insignificant in comparison. The Tainui weathered the storm aft she has weathered many others in her lengthy career in the New Zealand trade, and left Southampton, after embarking passepgers, the following day according to schedule. One of the cross-Channel steamers, the Versailles, which left Newhaven for Dieppe the same day, was not so fortunate. About twelve miles out to sea she met the full force of the gale, and her rudder was damaged, and she had to anchor off Seaford Head in a semihelpless condition from midday till late at night, awaiting assistance. .The tug which was sent to her assistance was struck by a terrific sea which smashed all the cabin ..windows and severely injured one of the crew. When she had returned to port with this man the tug set out again, and after one rope had snapped and another man had been hurt, managed to tow the ferry steamer to The Tainui’s experience in the Channel was not the end of her troubles, as she continued to meet severe westerly aales during the first eight days on the” Atlantic, the conditions making the lot of the passengers far from a happy one Thereafter, however, as the ship approached the tropical regions, the conditions moderated, and. Jamaica was reached on December 18 without further incident. At Kingston, the port of Jamaica, the Tainui replenished her coal bunkers, the adverse exchange, rate operating at the American ports in the Canal Zone having caused the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company to we the British port for the refuelling of thenships both inward and outward bound. The passengers were able to spend a whole day in the town. , A short stay was made at Colon, and the Panama Canal was entered on December 21. Christinas Day was observed just south of the Equator, but the conditions were quite cool and the passengers were able to enjoy the festivities' 5 to the utmost. New Year s Day was celebrated the day before reaching pitcairn Island.