OUT OF CONTROL

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1929, Page 7

OUT OF CONTROL

cargo STEAMER’S STORMY PASSAGE.

AUCKLAND, May 13

Twenty-two days of violent weathei were experienced i>y the cargo .steamer Benholm, while crossing the Nortl Atlantic in March last. The vessel is at present unloading at Prince’. Wharf, 'l’he Benliolni was in thi port in November of last year aim from here proceeded to Australia where wheat was loaded for Italy. After this cargo had been discharge' at Italian p .rts the vessel went t< Algiers for cankers, and then mad for New York, where she loaded tie. cargo now being discharged. Jt was on. this passage lietwce .Gibraltar and New York that th Rcnholm received such a lmfFetinp Gibraltar was passed on February 20th. Trouble commended that da and lasted until the ship made Nov York on March 20th. Violent gahv mountainous seas, and icy weat-he: had to be contended with. The ve* sol was on her beam ends most of til time, and to make matters mu cl worse she was an empty ship. Plenty of dishes and pieces of crockery wen smashed on this trip. When the Benliolni was two or thro days off New York so tempo,stium were the conditions that she beonnu completely out of central. She went off her course and the helmsman wa' unable to work her back to it. Thi Master. Captain Lennie, had event ually to be called. He quickly sav that the vessel was out of control and the appropriate warning signal, tw red lights above the bridge, washown at once. To leeward the empt' Benliolni went for six solid lnurs, and Captain Lennie at the wheel the whol time using every art of the lAariner t* bring his ship hack on her coursagain. Finally be succeeded. Mem hers of the Benholm’s personnel ave that their skinper gave an e.vliibitio 1 of necom.plislied seamanship in “bring ing her to” as he did.