A HEAVY GALE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1928, Page 2

A HEAVY GALE

DAMAGE AT AUCKLAND

AUCKLAND, May 28

A number of displaced piles at the end of Queen's wharf and a sunken cruising, launch are tbo principal signs on the waterfront of the damage caused by the easterly gale which sprung up on Saturday morning, and continued into last night. The damage is relatively small in view of tbo fact tiiat for the 24 hours ended at nine o’clock yesterday morning the wind velocity was 401 miles, the highest since January, 192(5. There are many instances of minor damage in (lie city and suburbs.

At high tide an effort will be made to raise the launch, which is owned by Mr B. Alexander, of Parnell, which broke from its moorings off Hobson Bay and was badly damaged on the new railway embankment. Although towed hack to its moorings and left with strong anchors' down the launch subsequently sank. It is of the cruising type. 28ft long, and is valued at about £.500. The extent of the damage will not he known until it is placed on the slip.

Coming from Los Angeles the American steamer West Carmona encountered a very strong easterly gale on Thursday. Big seas broke aboard and on one occasion the chief steward, .Mr ,T. J. Farrell, was washed right across the deck and only saved himself from going over the side by clutching at the rail. By Saturday morning the weather had grown considerably worse and Captain Sk.iellerup. who is in command, had almost decided to heave to for fear tlsc large deck cargo of timber should he washed away. The vessel was so near port, however, that ho continued on Ins course, and arrived in the harbour early in the afternoon. The weather, however, prevented her from being berthed until yesterday. The ketch-rigged scow Kaiatia, owned by W'iwstone. Ltd., was driven ashore on the beach at Takahi Point during; the week-end, hut escaped without serious damage. It is hoped to refloat her to-night. The Kaiatia is a wooden vessel of 20 tons, built in Auckland. Captain Chisholm is in command.