ROUGH TIME AT SEA

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8341, 30 January 1913, Page 7

ROUGH TIME AT SEA

GALE IN THE SOUTH

PASSAGES OF STEAMERS PROLONGED.

Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, January 29. The southerly gale abated at Lyttelton yesterday evening, but its _ effect was still apparent in the vicinity of Capo Campbell, which reported a rresh breeze and heavy sea. At 9 o’clock this morning tho arriving from the north reported having encountered a strong gale and high seas along tile coast.

Tho small coastal steamer Storm, which arrived last night, was nearly thirty-seven hours on the passage from Picton, having been steaming nearly thirty hours against a gale. The big tramp steamer Harpagua, from Now York, via way ports, was twenty-six and a half hours covering the 173 miles’ stretch between Wellington and Lyttelton, an average of about six knots and a half per hour. She left Wellington at 6.45 a.m. yesterday, and ran into tho gale immediately after clearing the heads. Being in a very light trim -the Harpagns, had a rough time crossing Cook Strait, and rolled and pitched heavily. She made slow progress against tho gale and sea until after passing Kaikoura, when tho weather moderated.

The ferry steamer Maori was nearly fifteen hours on the passage from Wellington, and did not reach Lyttelton until 10.45 a.m. to-day, her passengers and mails connecting with tho second express for the south. The Mararoa was delayed m tho early stages of her passage by tho southerly gale, which moderated early this morning.

Tho Melbourne, from Newcastle, is due at Lyttelton to-day, hut it, is probable that she may have had to shelter in Cook Srait.