STEAMER SHORT OF COAL

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 57, 1 December 1926, Page 10

STEAMER SHORT OF COAL

BATTLE WITH TREMENDOUS SEAS Dominion Special. Auckland, November 30. With her supply of bunker coal running low, the British tramp steamer Harmattau returned to Auckland this afternoon. Since leaving this port five and a half davs ago, the vessel has had a long battle with _ tremendous seas, being driven a considerable distance off her course. The Harmattau, which recently discharged a sugar cargo at Chelsea, left Auckland ou Wednesday afternoon, bound for Newcastle. She was in light trim and made good time for the early part of the voyage. Favourable weather was experienced until the vessel was in the vicinity of the North Cape, when the wind freshened from the west, gradually increasing in force until by midday on Friday it was blowing a full gale. The wind caused the Harmattau to roll heavily, but as the ship was floating very high only light sprays were shipped on deck. Early on Friday afternoon the vessel was in a position approximately 90 miles west of Cape Maria Van Diemen, and was making onlv four and a half knots. Owing to the ship’s light condition and the heavy sea that was running the steamer’s propeller was continually racing, and in order to increase the vessel’s draught No. 4 hold was flooded.

The crew had an unenviable experience. “She rolled worse than ever before,” remarked one member of the ship’s company to-day. Preparing and eating meals was no easy task. Huge seas smashed against the sides. In No. 4 hold the water which had been pumped in to increase the ship’s, draught was splashing high up against the hatch cover. There was no improvement in the conditions on Saturday, the Harmattan continuing to roll and strain heavily. On Sunday morning, when the vessel was about 150 miles in a north-westerly direction from Cape Marin, it was discovered that she had not sufficient coa! in her bunkers to allow her to complete her voyage. Accordingly the vessel was put aliout and made for Auckland.