WAIHEMO IN GALE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 26 June 1924, Page 6

WAIHEMO IN GALE.

FORCED TO RETURN TO PORT.. By Telegraph-—Press Association.- . DUNEDIN, June 25. The Waihemo, with a heavy list to port, steamed to Port Chalmers this morning with No. 2 hold awash. The vessel left Port Chalmers last Saturday afternoon for Nauru Island. On Sunday, when clearing Foveaux Strait, she ran into heavy weather, and having no cargo, the position became critical. The propeller was partly out of water, and an ineffectual attempt was made to alter the course. Hours passed and the conditions did not improve, and late cin Sunday afternoon further trouble was experienced. A blinding flash of lightning flame ran along the aerial of the ship’s wireless equipment,, almost blinding the seamen on deck. Eventually the Waihemo headed hack for Foveaux Strait. About midnight yesterday Donald Broderick, a seaman, fell down the hold, and was severely injured. He was conveyed to Dunedin Hospital after the ship’s arrival this morning. His condition is satisfactory.

Immediate steps were taken to repair the damaged bilge pump in order that the water in the hold could be pumped out. The extent and nature of the damage cannot be ascertained until the hold is pumped dry.