GALE AND SWELL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20146, 28 June 1935, Page 5

GALE AND SWELL

MATAI HAS PERILOUS PASSAGE By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, June 27. Huge seas which threatened to overwhelm her were encountered by the Government steamer Matai in the Bay of Plenty in the course of her periodical visit to the East Coast lighthouses. The vessel arrived at Auckland to-day. Entering the Bay of Plenty after rounding Cape Runaway, the Matai met a heavy northerly swell and a north-easterly gale. She shipped seas continually and the climax was reached when one enormous wave swept the upper deck and even the bridge. “I have been in some terrific gales off the coast in this ship, but I have never struck a sea like that before,” said Captain Burgett. The bathroom on the upper deck, the door of which was open, was completely filled with water. The sturdy little vessel could make little headway in such weather. “Roll,” said the captain, “it felt as if she was going to roll her inside out.” Conditions were so bad that the Matai was forced to put about and return to Cape Runaway for shelter. Within four hours, however, the sea appeared to moderate, and she resumed her voyage, but she struck very rough seas again. Throughout the crossing of the Bay articles were thrown about below decks, but no serious damage was don-3.