The Ruapehu in a Gale.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 100, 31 March 1885, Page 3

The Ruapehu m a Gale.

». . . (UNITED PttESS AKSOOU.TION'.* Pobt Chalmees, March 30. The Ruapehu crossed the bar at 1.40 ■p.m. darwing 22 feet. She left Plymouth af 1 p.m. on February 14tli. She arrived at Tefleriflfo at 6 a.in. ou tho . 20th, and left at 5 pirn on the same day. She had moderate weather to her arrival at Capetown at 7 p.m. on March' 7. She embarked passengers and ' stores, «md left again at 2 a.m. ■ on the Bth, and experienced fine wester?. ]y winds until the 18th, when it freshened to a gale, with heavy squalls and tremendous seas, which continued .until the . 21st, when it veered to north north-east. It was blowing terrific, with mountainous seas, during the gale, and several sails, though furled, were blown clean out of the bole ropes and some of the the boats stove. Unfortnnately some twelve tons of caustic soda m drums, which wan stowed m her forepeak, got adrift, nrid which floated about the steerage passengers' quarters, doing considerable damage to their effects. The captain immediately had the passengers removed to the saloon, where they remained until the 'tween decks were thoroughly cleaned. No one was injured. No births or deaths occurred. The health of all on board was excellent, While, crossing the Bay of Biscay one of the seamen, whilst securing the jib, was washed overboard. A boat was lowered and. the m mi rescued, but owing to the heavy sea, .tunning, the boat' was smashed, alongside the ship. She brings 20 saloon, 20 second- class, and ,104 steerage passengers for all ports; ' '