Ship Stands on End

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 975, 19 May 1930, Page 9

Ship Stands on End

CARGO SHIFTS IN HEAVY SEA Motor Vessel Has Close Call PROMPT ACTION SAVES ALL ON BOARD STANDING on beam-ends for 13 minutes and the decks lashed by heavy seas, the motor-vessel Beulah had a close call from disaster when a few days out from San Francisco on its way to Apia, Samoa. The deck cargo of motor-cars was sacrificed and the safety of the ship was then menaced by the danger of explosion from floating drums of oil. The captain told a dramatic story at Apia.

United P.A.—By Telegraph Copyright APIA, Saturday.

The strange experience of the motor-vessel Beulah, which suddenly listed to port when three days out from San Francisco; on April 25, was related today by Captain Hart. The captain states that distinctly unusual weather developed, and big seas came on board, and the vessel rolled in the long swell. There was a north-west wind, with periodical blinding squalls from the south-west. Through the night of April 24 the Beulah wallowed in the swell, which at daylight became worse. At V a.m. there came a crash. The Beulah was riding on the top of the swell. Suddenly the deck cargo was shifted, with a smashing, crunching noise, to port. SEAS WASHING DECKS There was a tremendous strain on the lashings, and the vessel lay on her beam ends for over a quarter of an hour, with the sea washing the decks. The big weight of five cases of motorcars, and benzine and kerosene, prevented the vessel from rising to an even keel, and water found its way below decks. When the Beulah showed no signs ot righting, a section of the crew became alarmed, and rushed to the lifeboats q'he position was without question dangerous, and the important matter was to save the ship and the lives of her crew. There appeared to be no way out but to dump the deck cargo overboard. The engines were slowed, and quick work followed. The engineer, Mr. Bromberg, with a hack-saw cut the steel lashings, and released the cargo. The cars sank rapidly. The oil drums and a ship’s boat were car-

ried away with them, and floated and drifted.

Relieved of the weight, the Beulah slowly rose but immediately listed to starboard, and lay in a critical position. The crew feared that the cargo below had shifted, and there were several minutes of suspense. However, she gave a favourable move and was righted. An inspection showed that on the port side the immense weight of the deck cargo had bulged the bulwarks two feet outward, for a length of 20ft, as well as doing other damage. The danger was not past. The sea was strewn with benzine drums, and the captain feared that a live spark might ignite a leaking drum. The vessel moved to leeward of the floating drums. The ship’s boat was found two miles away, in a muchdamaged condition and unfit for use. NO WIRELESS Having no wireless, the captain made for Fanning Island, which was reached at 7 p.m. on May 7, to report to the owners. He then proceeded to Apia, and arrived here on Wednesday. The crew included 24 men from Samoa. The captain highly praises the work *of Mr. Bromberg, who, at great risk, undertook to cut the lashings. The captain had grave fears that had this not been done the vessel might have foundered. The value of the lost drums of kerosene and benzine is not known. The motor-cars, which w-ere insured, were consigned to Morris Hedstrom, Limited, Apia. Lloyd’s agents today surveyed the Beulah. The cargo appears to be all right, and was brought ashore this morning.