THE ROTOMAHANA IN A TERRIFIC GALE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5821, 25 November 1879, Page 2

THE ROTOMAHANA IN A TERRIFIC GALE.

(per press agency.) Auckland, Monday. The Rotomahana, Captain Underwood, with 60 saloon and 80 steerage passengers, aud 325 tons of cargo, has arrived at Russell, after a disastrous passage. She left Sydney at 8.15 a.m. on the 20th instant, starting with light south-west wind, which increased to a gale towards noon, with a very high sea. After that the gale increased to hurricane force, with a tremendous sea. At 5.20 p.m. a heavy sea was shipped, smashing one of the boat skylights and washing a sailor named Alexander MoLellan overboard. The unfortunate man had only joined the ship at Port Chalmers on the 6th of the month. The chief officer, Mr. Parsons, had a miraculous escape in the same sea. Again, at 11.30 p.m., another heavy sea was shipped, smashing in the after-skylight, and washing a quantity of fruit overboard. The vessel behaved admirably throughout. The weather continued with unabating fury until the morning of the 22nd instant, when it moderated to a south-west gale, which lasted 24 hours. Since then light south-west winds aud fine weather have been experienced until her arrival. During the heaviest of the storm the ship kept before the wind and sea, and ran 125 miles out of her course. At 11.20 p.m. on the 20th she passed a ship, which was supposed to be showing signals of distress, but owing to the severe weather she could not render any assistance. List of passengers for Wellington : Dr. Hector, Messrs. F. E. Elderwood, John McPhalsen, A. G. Merrick, Collins, and Bunn.