HURRICANE IN BRITAIN

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17268, 14 November 1929, Page 7

HURRICANE IN BRITAIN

SHIPPING AFFECTED. bad weather in channel. DRAMATIC INCIDENTS. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. —Copyright RUGBY, NOV. 12. The gale which swept over Britain yesterday was the most severe experienced this yearHeavy rainstorms caused widespread floods, particularly in Wales and the Hake district- Some of the roads were made impassable and telegraph and telephone communication was interrupted. Many ships had to seek refuge in harbour. The average velocity of the wind over the British Isles for tb n entire day was about 42 miles an hour, but in several parts more than 60 miles was recorded- At Cardington a gust of 83 miles an hour was reported yesterday afternoon. One of the most dramatic incidents of the storm was the rescue of tho crew of the Italian steamer Nlmbo (3870 tons). The vessel ran aground between Brighton and Newhaven and was seriously damaged.

Distress signals were sent up. Tremendous seas were running, and it was not possible to take a lifeboat alongside the NimboA rocket apparatus and life-line were therefore brought into use by the Newhaven coastguardsmen. The first shot was unsuccessful, but the second put the line over the ship's wireless aerial, and it was made fast to the rigging.

The crew of the stranded vessel clambered up the rigging and one by one 20 of them were taken ashore in a breeches-buoy. The captain and nine members of the crew refused to leave the ship at first and stayed on board at the pumpsThis afternoon wireless reports of more bad weather in the Channel led to the order being given to abandon the ship. The remainder of the crew and the captain were then taken ashore by means of a life-line.