TELEGRAPHIC.

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 December 1912, Page 5

TELEGRAPHIC.

NAiRNSHIRE HAS A ROUSH TIME

STRUCK BY CYCLONIC STORM

(Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND- December 15. The Federal Shire liner Nairnshire.1 which arrived here on Saturday afternoon from Liverpool via Hobart, experienced a cyclonic storm on November 18, eight days lifter leaving Capetown. The sea was very rough and the gale developed a velocity of 80 miles an hour. . Oil was freely used. The gale continued al!l the afternoon on the. 19th and all day on the 20th, the sea moderating at midnight. Huge seas broke on b&ard, flooding .a groat part of the vessel, especially the steerage quarters. Two horse 'boxes were washecl out of wire l lashings. The steerage skylight and the door and (part of the companion -way were carried away. There were 49 passengers in the steerage and these lost most of their effects..The women and children were moved into the first saloon with difficulty by the officers. Owing to the engine-room becoming flooded, three fires were doused, the lighting dynamo being throw.n out of work. Great difficulty was therefore experienced in (getting the women and children along the deck an the dark and. amidst the waives breaking on board. The third officer, .who was carrying .a little gifl, had to climb the rigging for safety. The sitore-house on the after deck was washed away. The stout iron framework was bent and broken as if it were wire. The officers' and engineers' room'on the main deck was all smashed in,. Later, another heavy sea broke on board, smashing the winch steam pipes arid casings. That evening the engine-room was again flooded and the1 huge veri/tilator for tine steerage ■ .quarter torn from the deck fastenings. At eight o'clock a heavy sea broke amidship, smashing the acooinmbdataon ladder to splinters and flooding the galley, the butcher's' shop and also damaged the front-/saloon deck. •At midnight the sea began .to moderate and temporary repairs affected at sea. Permanent repairs will be o'omp'leted on the return of the Nairnshire to England. During the storm, Stuart, a seaman, had his thigh broken. The ship's ca mentor was struck on the back by-a foiling derrick, sustaining; bruises, and art; engine-roam . greaser sustained a crashed wrist. The first mate was sitting ill liis cabin.'.-when a wave.threw an iron deck casing off .the 'anchor chains through the doorway, smashing it and missing his head by a few inches. The steerage passengers lost all their personal 'effects. The eialoon passengers and -officers opened a relief fund. The passengers-presented Captain Forder with a certificate commending -his good seamanship.