SAILORS PLENTEE SICK.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 189, 11 August 1931, Page 11

SAILORS PLENTEE SICK.

Steame»r Kanna has Rough Trip up Coast. (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, August 8. An incessant jabbering on the deck of the steamer Kamona yesterday suggested that her Chinese crew were glad to be in port again. The vessel had been nearly a full week on her voyage up the coast from Wellington, howling westerly gales in the Bay of Plenty having compelled her to run twice for shelter in Hicks Bay. “ Velly luff trip,” said one of the Chinese. “ Few plenty sick. Not me, but.” Asked if it was the roughest trip he had ever experienced, the Chinese merely grinned. The Kamona left Wellington on Thursday evening last and rounded East Cape on Saturday night. At once she ran into a full westerly gale, accompanied by high head seas. As the vessel was in light trim she felt the gale more than if she had been fully loaded, and early on Sunday morning it was decided to put about and run for Flicks Bay for shelter. The conditions appeared to have improved slightly on the next day, but again in the Bay of Plenty a very heavy sea was running, and for a second time it was decided to put back to Hicks Bay for shelter. Another start was made at midday on Wednesday and, with an easing up of the gale, the steamer was able to complete her voyage without further delay. Good time was made up the coast, and yesterday afternoon the vessel berthed alongside the Kaituna at the Western wharf. Like the Kaituna, the Kamona has Deen purchased by Williamson and Co., shipowners, of Hong Kong, for trade on the China coast. Recently the colour of the vessels’ funnels was changed to black and their hulls were given a fresh coat of paint. The Chinese crews, which will take the vessels back to the East, arrived in New Zealand some weeks ago. Botff vessels are to sail to-morrow for Hong Kong, via Australia and Borneo. Bunkers will be replenished at Bowen, Queensland. On arrival in the East they will undergo a thorough overhaul before entering their new trades. In going East to trade under the Wil- ; liamson flag, the Kaituna and Kamona are following in the wake of the Koromiko, Karori, Kittawa, Whangape, Kaitangata, Kaiapoi, and Kamo, other Union Company freighters which earned good money on the New Zealand coast before being sold to Mr Williamson.