JOURNEY THROUGH FOG

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1929, Page 5

JOURNEY THROUGH FOG

THE FERRY SERVICE,

WELLINGTON, April 13.

The fog which disorganised shipping from Dunedin to Wellington caused only fourteen minutes’ delay to the ferry steamer Maori on the run from Lyttelton. Misty conditions were experienced immediately on leaving haruour last night, Godley Head being partly obscured. The steamer ran into heavy fog banks approaching Kaikoura, and a wireless report from the Wahino which Was steaming south, stated that it also was proceeding through fog. The crossing of the two fast steamers at sea under these conditions provided some excitement for passengers, many of whom kept awake on hearing the Maori’s whistle going at intervals. There was' a wireless report from the Waliine to the effect that it was off Kaikoura at 1.15 a.m. in fog, and a similar message went from the Maori, which proceeded cautiously, signalling almost continuously; and at 1.30 a.m. the approaching steamer’s whistle was heard and she was eventually picked'up on the port bow, half a mile away. \ Advantage was taken of the Maori’s reserve power to push ahead rapidly during temporary liftings of the heavy fog banks, and Wellington Heads were approached in good time. Then came a spectacular raising of the clouds only for a few minutes, during which the Maori safely passed Barrett’k Reef and made a course up the harbour witli not a single landmark available. The steamer was cautionsly worked around towards the quarantine anchorage well off shore, and the welcome sight of the coal hulk at anchor gave sufficient indication of her position, enabling the Maori to proceed almost drifting until the wharves loomed up, though they were invisible from a hundred yards away. The rest was easy, and when the passengers congratulated Captain Irwin on his skill in landing them only fourteen minutes behind time, he laconically replied, “Luck!”