S.S. HUIA'S SENSATIONAL TRIP.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 908, 30 August 1910, Page 4

S.S. HUIA'S SENSATIONAL TRIP.

LIGHTNING AND WATERSPOUTS. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) . Wanganui, August,29. The recent .southerly storm raised a • terrific .sea on this coast, and watchers'. on Castlecliff Beach yesterday were afforded a thrilling sight each time an arriving steamer took the bar: Air negotiated the entrance in fine style, however The little ■ coastal steamer Huia, which arrived at one o'clock from Wellington, had, a temptestuous . and, at times, a thrilling passage. Bad weather was ex- ' perienced throughout, but matters came to a head about 10 o'clock on Sunday morning, when the vessel was. about 15 miles away from Castlecliff.- A frightful ' thunderstorm 'enveloped the littlesteamer, acconipanied. by vivid flashes oflightning, which lit up the darkened sky. Two flashes struck the davits with reports like pistol-shots, and, played round the ironwork of the.ship in a most terrifying manner. Little balls of fire also fell through the air, but the culminating point of disturbance was reached when five waterspouts passed over the ship's bows, travelling towards the south-east. Captain Dowell, who commanded the Huia, says that, in all his 32 j-eirs'. experience of.-. New Zealand coastal waters, he has never seen or heard' of such'a sight, .and • described. ■ the disturbance as, \ appalling. ; This view; is shared by the mate and, the man at the -wheel, both of 'whom had,a frightful and nerve-trying, time. . The Huia stood the weather verywell,, being only five hours" longer on the. trip than usual. ' : . '■'" '.'•■■