CYCLONIC STORM.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 181, 18 December 1912, Page 8

CYCLONIC STORM.

NAIRNSHJ.EE BADLY BUFFETED. PERILOUS EXPERIENCES. STEERAGE PASSENGERS LOSE ALL PERSONAI EFFECTS. Auckland, December 15. The Federal-Shire liner Nairnshire, which arrived here on Saturday afternoon from Liverpool, via Hobart, experienced a cyclonic storm on November I!). Eight days after leaving Capetown, the sea was very rough, and the gale developed a velocity of 80 miles an hour. Although oil was freely used, the gale continued all the afternoon of November 19, and all the following day, the sea moderating at midnight.

Huge seas broke on board, flooding a great part of the ves3el, especially the steerage quarters. Two horse-boxes were washed out of the wire lashings, the steerage skylight and door and part of the companion way were carried awav.

The women and children were moved into the first saloon with difficulty by the officers. Owing to the engine-room becoming flooded, three of the fires were doused, the lighting dynamo being thrown out of work. Great, difficulty was therefore experienced in getting the women and children along the deck in the dark, amidst the waves breaking on board. The third officer, who was carrying a little girl, had to climb the riggings for safetw

The storehouse on the after-deck was washed away, the stout iron framework being bent and broken as if it were wire. The officers' and engineers' room on the main deck was all smashed in. Later on another heavy sea broke on board, smashing the winch, steam-pipes, and casings. That evening the engineroom was again flooded, and a huge ventilator for tlie steerage quarter torn from the deck fastenings. At eight o'clock a heavy sea broks amidships, smashing the aeeoniniodatio/i ladder to splinters, and flooding the galley and the butcher's shop, also damaging the front saloon deck. At midnight the sea began to moderate. Temporary repairs were effected at sea, and permanent repairs will be completed on the return of the Nairnshire to England. During the storm a seaman named Stuart had his thigh broken. The ship's carpenter was struck on the baielc by a falling derrick, sustaining bruises, and an engine-room greaser sustained a crushed wrist. The first mate wa.s sitting in the cabin when a wave threw the iron deck easing on the anchor chains through the doorway, .smashing it, but missing his head by few inches. The steerage passengers lost all personal effects. The saloon passengers and officers opened a relief fund. The passengers presented Captain Fordcr with a certificate commending his good seamanship. The vessel had 49 steerage passengers.