STEAMER’S ORDEAL

Hokitika Guardian, 3 August 1925, Page 1

STEAMER’S ORDEAL

WAIMARINO IN HEAVY AY LATH FR.

DUNEDIN. July 31

The Waimarino arrived at Fort Chalmers this morning from Newcastle, in a battered slate. ’I he heavy gale which shook up the American Fleet and caused the Kaituna to shelter at Melbourne Heads wreaked its full fury oil the AVaimarino. Hurricane squalls caused cross seas and sent grout waves smashing on hoard. Ihe deck fittings were damaged, some ol the plating fractured, and the living rooms flooded. The Waimarino, with GOOD tons ol coal for the New Zealand railways, left Newcastle last Tuesday week. July 21st. at 10 a.m. for the Bluff. The Nobbvs were not well out of sight when the wind began to freshen ironi the south-west. As it increased. a heavy sea rolled up from the south. Next day heavy water was being shipped fore and aft. and it culminated in the ship being hove-to for twenty-four hours. Under ordinary circumstances this would have given relief, hut fierce squalls came along and caused cross seas.

The waves came smashing on hoard, sometimes over the side. Occasionally they would rush along the decks lore and aft, smashing ventilators and bursting in cabin doors. The steamer rolled and pitched heavily, sustaining a list to l>oi-t, whirl, further a.-eenl-nateil the exceptionally violent romlitions, bui the sailors got to work and promptly restored if. On July 2Mrd. the door of the chief engineer's cab'.n was smashed and the room flooded, lie was writing up his log when it occurred, early in the afternoon. The melee of tile elements continued all the afternoon and throughout the night. The steward’s storeroom was flooded, tho forecastle rails carried away, and ventilators knocked over like ninepins. Storm covers were placed over the ventilator shafts as promptly as possible. 11 was a trying experience, and the nacertiiinly as to what was to happen next kept everyone at tension. The weather began to moderate on Thursday, and wireless directions being received to proceed to l’ort ( halliiors, where repairs could he elicited, the ship's course was altered, the new course bringing the big steamer, still rolling heavily, into a more favourable position in regard to the direction ol the waves. A close inspection showed that, the deck plating of the iron decks had been damaged. Cape farewell was sighted at 3.18 a.in. on Wednesday. and moderate weather was henceforth experienced through took Stiail nmi down i In* . Captain .1. G. Watson, whose sea experience has included sailing ship voyages in his youthful days, handled ihe situation with the utmost skill. He slated to a reporter that it was the worst, storm he has seen for years The fierce hurricane squalls _ caused most of the damage, otherwise when the steamer was liove-to she wood have have ridden it out like a duck The squalls were not front the general direction of the prevailing gale, and tliov were so fierce that they brought

up 'nasty cross seas. These cross seas were the trouble. Captain Matson said that his officers and crew acted splendidly. Their response was always prompt, and they displayed a fine spirit of helpfulness. The Waimarino anchored in ' lalower harbour at 7.20 this morning, and berthed at the Bowen I,’ior at 10,MO. Her coal cargo, which has neon diverted from Blulf. owing to the vessel requiring repairs, will probably he discharged at Port Chalmers. Iml this will in sonic measure depend on Dio amount of repairs deemed necessary after ihe steamer is surveyed. Waimarino is registered in London.