THE RUAPEHU'S VOYAGE. EVENTFUL INCIDENTS. Wellington, May 27.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 372, 29 May 1889, Page 5

THE RUAPEHU'S VOYAGE. EVENTFUL INCIDENTS. Wellington, May 27.

Uhßuliu' s ape T voyage appears bo have been more than ordinarily eventful. Shoitly after leaving London Docks for Plymouth a passenger showed signs of mental aberration and was placed in confinement, during which he broke a thick plate of glass in the port hole with his fist, and proceeded to throw overboard everything portable. Subsequent examination proved him insane, and he was put ashore just befoie the vessel's leaving Teneiifle. She lost the blade of the propeller, owing, it is thought, to striking driftwood. At the Cape the Kuapehu went in the dry dock, when a spare blade was put on. She was detained four days at the Cape, and after leaving a singular accident occurred when off Table Bay. Everyone on board heard a report as it a boiler had exploded. Examination showed that the chief pipe connecting the boilers with the freezing machinery had burst, seveiely scalding several firemen. One of those, Johnston, had a very narrow escape with his life. While the repairs were being effected, the vessel was in a critical position, being on a lee shore with a heavy pea running, and she was at the mercy of the waves. Repairs were, however, quickly completed, and &team being got up the passage was resumed. Even from Hobart the steamer met v> ith exceptionally heavy weather, the decks being swept continuously.