STORM IN BASS STRAIT

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1932, Page 7

STORM IN BASS STRAIT

STEAMER IN DIFFICULTIES GALES THRASH THE COASTS HEAVY DAMAGE ON SHORE FEAR OF EXTENSIVE FLOODS By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. " Melbourne, March 28. Wild gales are thrashing Bass Strait. The steamer Marrawab, 600 tons, is in a serious plight between King and Hummock Islands owing to an engine-room breakdown. Two steamers are rushing to her aid, but the latest news from the Marrawah states that temporary repairs have been effected, and that the ship is heading slowly for Hummock Island through mountainous seas. She has a crew of 19 and eight passengers. A 60-mile gale with heavy rain lashed the Victorian coast during the weekend and small ships were forced to shelter. At Adelaide a squall which swept St. Vincent Gulf on Saturday caused much havoc among pleasure craft. Twenty-two were capsized and five yachtsmen drowned. STEAMER SLOWLY PROGRESSES. WORST WEATHER IN 30 YEARS. Rec. 5.35 p.m. Sydney, March 28. A wireless from the Marrawah states that the vessel is proceeding slowly under her own power to Stanley, 70 miles distant. The weather is moderating and all are safe. The worst weather for 30 years is reported from the north-west coast of Tasmania. There has been much damage to roads and houses along the shore. Railway and telephone communication has been disorganised and a repetition of the flood of three years ago is feared.