AT THE MERCY OF A GALE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 39, 10 November 1919, Page 4

AT THE MERCY OF A GALE

KAHU'S ROUGH TRIP

FIRES OUT IN A TREMENDOUS SEA

ALL HANDS BAILING

It would he impossible to underestimate the experiences of the crew unci passengers of Ihe small coastal steamer Kahu on the vessel's last trip to the Chatham Islands.! The little vessel arrived in port on Saturday night, and yesleraay a reporter obtained from m'emhnrs of the crow detail? of the terrible nrdenl. A Mountainous Sea. With a crew of thirteen and thirteen passengers, tho Kahu left Wellington on Octol>er 21 for the islands, and on" I'encarrow experienced a strong nor'-westcily KaJe with heavy seas. The weather becatne worse and worse, and on October 23. when (he Kahu was about sixty miles from tlto islamlsj it was. at fury point. GicMiiiic sens tesed the little vessel about, but she .4 niggled on until early in the afternoon, when a sea of mountainous dimensions swept over her. The caught the large lifeboat on ,the bridge, liftea' it out of its chocks, and caused it to rest on the steering-chain. This caused a jam, and the vessel would not answer her helm, and she broached to. Sen after sea swept over her, and she begun to strain considerably. A quantity of water found its way into the engine-room, and it was necessary to keep the pumps going. Chaos on Board. \. In snite of enormous difficulties the lifeboat was moved clear of the steering chain, ana , the little vessel was brought round on her course again. Loose denk fittings were swept away, and seas were- finding iheh' way into tho cabins, causing chaos. Everyone was wet through, and it was impossible to find a drv or comfortable 6pot. The seas continued to thunder on board, but thfl little vessel kept on in spite of tho furv of the gale.

During (ho night which followed those on Imard wont through Hie experience of their lives. "At " o'clock at night we found that the vessel was making water in earnest," said a member of th« crew. "The pumps were unable to copo with the inflow, ami' the engine-room department reported that the water was rising to an alarming degree. The situation was terrible, and the battle for life commenced. Mountainous seas conlimied to sweep over the vessel, and wntcr nourcd' into the cabins and down into the engine-room. All the passengers, including three women, as well as the crew, fully alive to the danger, set to to supplement the efforts of the Duinps. All the buckets and every useful utensil were employed to bale the water out. nno' it was a question of Ihem them tailing for their lives. Hard work though it was-, Hie passengers stuck to their task with grim determination. The women were true heroines, taking their share in the work without disclosintr any indication of tear; but as fast as thev baled the seas came aboard. A Night of Terror. "The frightful night wore on, ano' the battle became, a stern ouo. The water continued tn rise. The fight appeared tn be a hopeless one fo:- the gale showed no signs of abating, and the ship was labouring: heavily. Seas were sweeping the decks, and the vessel rolled ana pitched to an' alarming degree. ' The ,nibins were, all awash, and the fittings commenced. to float about, and cushions were washed from their positions, as the water swished from side to side with the rolling of the ship, Bedding, clothing, ana' pas-jcngej's' luggage commenced to 'float off.. Seas., came in through the skylight, and smashed the. lamp, plunging the Ealoon into darkness. Crockerv crashed, cupboards creaked and banged, chairs were smashed, and chaos reimied supreme. There was over two feet of water in the cabins, and the vessel began to develop a list to etarboaro'. The lifelwat was mude ready, even though it was realised that the chance of it living in the huge seas were practically nil. Fires Put Out. • . "Whilst the baling out proceeded the ensino-room staff was undergoing an otdeal. Every effort was being made to keep the engines running, but the water was rapidly rising, and everything movable was thrown from side to side as the flhiD rolled. The engineer, Mr. Henrj, was badly cut about the feet and legs by the ironwork, shovels, and buckets which were ewishea about by the water, which had almost reached boiling point. Shortly lifter midnight the fires went out, and it then appsared to all that their chances were- gone. However, baling was proceeded with at high pressure. Both pasfienuere and crew worked like Trojaun throughout the long night. During the forenoon o? the following day, October 24. the water in the engine-room had been considerably reduced, and the fires were again liglitMi. By 2.30 p.m. steam was un. nnd all on board were overjoyed. Baling out opera , ions had to be maintained, for the vessel was still making water." Fresh Provisions Lost. All supplies of freeh provisions were lost. The sea destroyed all the flour, sugar, bread, and fresh meat, and the crew and passengers had lo live on tinned goods. Owing to the water in the galley it was impossible to light a fire, mm consequently all hands existed on tinned fruits, it was a case of opening a tin of fruit and eating the contents direct from the tin, as all the ship's crockery iiad betn destroyed. Cups were i out; of tho question, and empty condensed milk tins were used as substitutes. Beached at "Whangaroa. The Kahu made for Whangavoa, where she arrived on October -24. and was bcachen'. Next morning her hull was fiianiinod. Certain repairs were effected, and the vessel was made ready for the return ionrney. Her cargo was not damaged, for hardly'any water got into the holds. The crew and passengers all speak in the highest praisa of Ilio splendid work done bv Captain J. Lnwry and the engineer, Mr. Homy. Both officers hamlv had a moment's respite, and accomplished aimost Riperlimuar: ,tasks. Kvcry urnise b also duo to the women passenger*, who endured the ordeal with outstandini bravery.