POOLTA BATTERED BY HEAVY SEAS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 184, 5 August 1931, Page 4

POOLTA BATTERED BY HEAVY SEAS.

DRIVEN BACK FROM 29 MILES OFF DUNEDIN

Shortly alter ten o’clock this morning the timeball signal station at Lyttelton announced the arrival in the stream of the Union Company’s steamer Poolta, which was not expected to arrive at Lyttelton from Dunedin, via Timaru, until to-morrow. The vessel’s unexpected arrival created curiosity- on the waterfront. According to telegraphic communication, the vessel was supposed to have arrived at Dunedin this morning or to be approaching Dunedin. ' The vessel anchored off Diamond Harbour and there awaited the arrival of the Union Company officials. It turned out that the vessel had been blown back to the Banks Peninsula after being within 29 miles of Dunedin. The vessel left Wellington on Saturday afternoon, en route to Dunedin. She ran into what was described by- her officers as the biggest seas they had ever encountered. The Poolta approached Dunedin, but the forces of the gale and seas were such that while the ship was steaming at full speed ahead she was actually 40 miles astern in 24 hours. Efforts were made to proceed south, but she brought up off Banks Peninsula, where shelter was sought. Being handy to Lyttelton and in view of the fact that supplies were running short. Captain Sharpe decided to make for Ly-ttelton to collect fresh stores and seek shelter. The Poolta was expected at Dunedin last evening. Seamen off the Waimarino, which arrived in Lyttelton this morning from Timaru, reported that there were very heavy seas running up the coast. Judging from the time made by the ferry steamer this morning, there appeared to be much heavier seas running south of Lyttelton than between Wellington and Lyttelton. Although the wind has dropped considerably, it is expected that there will be heavy- seas running for some days unless there is a change of wind. The weather having moderated, the Poolta is expected to make her departure for Dunedin as soon as stores have been placed on board. The vessel should have arrived at Dunedin under ordinary conditions in about 42 hours. That would make her due there on Monday evening last. The Poolta left her anchorage at 1.10 p.m. for Dunedin.