STORM-TOSSED SHIPS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1879, 13 October 1913, Page 8

STORM-TOSSED SHIPS.

MORAYSHIRE SAFE,

ROUGHLY HANDLED IN COOK

STRAIT.

Friday's heavy southerly gale practic- > ally blew itself out by Saturday morning, and tho smaller coastal vessels were . ablo to leavo Wellington for their re- . spoctive ports. A heavy sea was re- , ported in C'ook Strait, but the weather , at Wellington Heads had modorated considerably. Tho first steamer to mako port on Saturday morning was tho Kairaki from Lyttelton. Sho had the galo ami wind behind her all tho way, and consequently made a good passage. Tho next steamer to put in an appearance was tho F. and S. Line's Morayshire, and she was followed by the Mararoa and Nikau. The latter vessel was a few hours late in arriving from Nelson and Nikau. The last-named vessel was a few lingtou was tho Tyser liner Wliakarua, and sho was followed at intervals by numerous steamers of tho coastal fleet. Morayshire's Experience. All doubt concerning tho safety of tho Homo liner Morayshire was set at rest- on Saturday morning, when tho vessel arrived in the harbour from Liverpool, via Auckland, at 6.50 a.m. ■ The big liner had a very rough experience coming down tho coast to Cape Palliser and in Cook Strait. Save for some of the deck fittings being damaged, the steamer did not suffer any mishap. Sho left Auckland at 1.15 p.m. on Tuesday last, and experienced fino weather till East Capo was passed. From this point to within 16 miles of Cape Palliser the weather freshened, and then' the Morayshire met the full forco of tho southerly gale. At 8 p.m. oil Thursday sho was only 40 miles from port, but littlo progress could bo made against tho heavy sea. which waß running. Roller after roller camo tumbling aboard, and, being n light, ship, tho Morayshire tumbled about in an alarming manner. ijvery tiling movablo was sent flying in all directions, and tho sound of breaking crockery added to the general din. Botwcen Thursday night and Friday afternoon the vessel experienced the worst of tho weather. Going at full-speed, sho only traversed four nules in nino hours. During Friday evening tho galo slackened somowhat, but a tremendous sea was still running, and at times waves went clean over lier. A close watch was kept for lights, and Cape Campbell was picked up at 0.15 a.m. on Saturday. Pencarrow light was sighted a couple of hours later, but it was not deemed advisable to mako port beforo daj'break. Consequently Captain Howard steamed about outside, and passed through tho Heads about 6.30 a.m. Damage to tho Wairau. The small steamer Wairau, 93 tons, Captain Deiloy, bound from Blenheim, which loft Blenheim at midday on Friday last, encountered tho full force of tho gale and at 6 p.m. a heavy sea thundered on tho deck of the littlo packet aft. ' As soon as tho sea rushed off the deck, t'lie damago it had done was soon ascertained. About 20ft. of tho starboard bulwarks (wood) had been wrenched away, and tho galley was .flooded. Fortunately none of tho crow woro in the exact vicinity at tho timo, and consequently no one was injured. Captain Deiloy put about, and ran for Queen Charlotte Sound, where he remained until 4.30 o'clock yesterday morning. During tho stay in the a temporary railing was fitted up. The -Wairau arrived in port yesterday at 11.20. a.m.