A RUDDERLESS STEAMER

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 168, 25 October 1910, Page 5

A RUDDERLESS STEAMER

SEVERE BUFFETING BY THE GALES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Monday. The steamer Strathclyde, which was sighted off Lvttelton Heads on Saturday night showing a "Not under control" signal, left Newcastle on September 10 for Coronel, Chili, with 600§ tons of coal. She ran into heavy weather the day after sailing. She passed through Cook Strait on September 22, and next day a south-west gale overtook her. The boats were lifted out of the chocks and the rails damaged. Oil was used, but the weather grew worse. Toward night on the 27th the vessel was hove-to in a hurricane, but when the ship was put on her course it was found she would not answer the helm. Examination show,ed that the rudder stock was broken right through the trunk. The ship was now uncontrollable, the seas banged the broken rudder about with great violence, and the wind again increased to a hurricane. Oil Avas resorted to, this time calming the waters marvellously. A jury-rudder was got over the stern and rigged, but as another gale was encountered the rudder had to be abandoned. A second rudder was made, and lasted four days, the sea finally smashing it. The weather moderated, and with the assistance of a third rudder the ship made her way down the coast to Lyttelton.