MOUNTAINOUS SEAS IN THE STRAIT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2155, 22 May 1914, Page 8

MOUNTAINOUS SEAS IN THE STRAIT.

RETURN OF THE SOUTHERLY GALE,

SHIPPING HELD UP. WATERSPOUTS 'AT STEPHENS ISLAND. BIG LINERS PUT TO SEA, The heavy southerly gale, which had been raging for the past five davs. had only departed 2-1 hours when another visitor of even greater violence came to Cook Strait and Wellington yesterday. Up till about 3 a.m. ail absolute calm prevailed in the narrow passage separating the two Islands, Then came occasional puffs of wind heralding the approach of another southerly gale. Tho sea increased and at about G a.m. the gale broke loose in all its fury. With it came the rain. All day heavy blinding rain squalls swept the entrance to the harbour, making navigation a. difficult problem., Several steamers arrived in port during tlio early, part of the day, and shortly before 5 p.m. the small coaster Rakiura, bourn] from Nelson to Lyttelton, staggered into port before the gale.

Work 011 Wellington wharves was practically at a standstill, and master mariners made preparations for a snug night in port by putting out extra lines from their vessels. Towards evening the weather because much colder, and tho wind freshened. Oiily two steamers—the Maori, for Lytte'lton, and the Victoria, for northern ports—attempted to 1 put to sea. It was a wild night outside, and a heavy sea was breaking right across the entrance. Further out in tho Strait a mountainous sea was running, and the two vessels in Question received a severe buffeting from the elements. The state of the weather ran be judged from the fact that the Victoria—a full-pottered steamer—left port at- G. 45 p.m., and at 8.30 p.lll. she was only eight miles from the Heads. Ferry Steamer's Gallant Struggle, As the ferry steamer Maori was negotiating tho entrance she was -swept by lieavy seas. The vessel mado a gallant struggle, however, and after a hard battle with tho gale and sea she managed to clear tho harbour. Thirteen other steamers which were to have left port for their various destinations could not, "look at it-." It is not often that the Anchor Lino's steamer Nikau is hold up on account of weather, but this happened to he tho case yesterday.

Reports received from the- East Coast of both Islands last evening stated, that tho weather was particularly bad, Wireless messages were received from tho big Shaw-Savill liner Zealafadic, stating that on account of the heavy gale -shiJ had put to sea and was off Ijawko Bay. Tho samo company's steamer Kia Ora also reported that the weather at Oamarii was particularly bad, and that she had put to sea off that port. 1 Several small steamers we'ro reported to be sheltering on the other side of Cook Strait. Great Sight In the Strait. Besides tho raging storm in t|ie Strait,, mariners had. another dangerous element to contend with in Cook Strait yesterday morning. Before nooii tho lightkecper on Stephens Island reported that several largo waterspouts were -observed travelling from tho smith towards Farewell Spit;.-and master mariners were warned in consequence. Tko solid pillars of water travelled at a rapid rate, and it is said that they presented a magnificent sight. At 8.30 p.m. yesterday, Captain Post, of tho Government steamer Tutanekai, cn route from Auckland to Rafotonga, reported by wireless that tlio , vessel's position was lat. 24deg. olmin, south, and long. IGodeg. west. . There was a light west-south-west wind blowing, with an overcast sky and moderate sea. The barometer reading was $0.72. Captain Post stated that he expected to arrive at Rarotonga at 8 a.m. to-morrow. STEAMERS BAR-BOUND. IN MANUKAU HARBOUR.

Auckland, May 21. Owing to the exceptionally heavy galo which appears to bo blowing oh Both coasts oi : the North Island, ship-ping has been considerably disorganised for the last two days. On the West Coast the galo has beeli bad, and the bar at tho month of Manuka*! Barbour lias been quite impassable. The steamers Riniu and Claymore left Onehunga this morning, but were, c.empelled to put back, and their departures liavo been postponed until to-monw. Tho Rarawa was to have'left this afternoon, but will anchor at the mouth of tho harbour and attempt to cross the bar to-morrow morning, FISHING BOAT MISStNC. WITH THREE HEN. . Auckland, May 21-. Tho fishing boat Andrew, with'a crew of three men, named ltttssell, Lowe, and William Nicholson, dragged its anchor oil Capo Brett lato on Sunday right in a heavy southerly gale. Tlw bout's light was seen up to midnight, and then disappeared during a heavy squall. It is feared the vessel capsized or was driven out to sea. MAORI'S RIDE TO DEATH. CARRIED TO SEA ON A LOG. Wairoa, May 21. A Maori named Tipu Karauria, aged 22, a native of Taupo, was drowned in the Mohaka River last evening. He Iras engaged collecting driftwood, but slippod in and was carried away. While going down the stream h« managed to get on a huge log, and was seen undressing in order to make an attempt to swim, when the log was carried out into the breakers over tho bar, and tho ntan was drowned. The body was recovered. MANAWATU RIVER IN FLOOD. PART OF A STREET WASHED AWAY. (Bj Teleerapli— Special ObrrespooddnU Palmerston North, May 21, The end of Fitzroy Street was swallowed into tlio flooded llanawatu River early this week, together with the gateway and barbed-wire fence erected there as a protection. Considerable) erosion occurred, but the river was much lower again prior to the renewal of the rain to-day. SNOW AT TAtHAPE. SIX INCHES ON RAILWAY LINE. Talhape, Stay 21. The weather to-day has Irefiu very cold. Snow fell in the morning, jiod the afternoon, and the railway at Waiourn was covered to a depth of six inches, but there was no iiitenuptkiti of railway traffic.