Perils of the Sea.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 174, 22 January 1914, Page 5

Perils of the Sea.

SUGGESTED PRECAUTION'S. A CONTENTION' SIGNED. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright 'London, January 20. The conference on safety at sea is concluded, and the draft convention signed. It establishes under United [States control mi international service lor ice observation patrol, also for destruction of derelicts in the North Atlantic, ft ruled that the prudent seamanship and speed embodied in the Titanic judgment bo internationally atiii mod. The recommendations cabled en December 1!) were confirmed, also the measures for prevention and detection of fire. All merchantmen carrying lifty passengers and upwards must have wireless installed with a minimum range of a hundred miles. Mr. Buxton announced that a further international conference will be held hereafter to deal with load-line and kindred subjects.

! RESCUING .MAYFLOWER'S CREW. London, January 20. The liner Lusitania, homeward bound, encountered the brigantine Mayflower, I sinking. First officer Alexander, with I a volunteer erew, launehe* a lifeboat. j It was an impossible task to reach the sinking' vessel, but a line and belts were thrown from (Jie lifeboat, rescuing the crew through a raging sea. UPKEEP OF ICEBERG PATROL. Received 22, 1 a.m. _ London, January 21. . Britain pays 30 per cent, Germany and France 15 per cent each, and the balance is divided among the other Powers for tho upkeep of the iceberg patrol for the destruction of derelicts-in the Atlantic. A ROUGH PASSAGE. VESSEL SERIOUSLY DAMAGED. I , By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night, j Serious damage wiyi done aboard the German steamer Hornfels by heavy seas ] shipped during gales on the vovngo from Delagoa Bay to Auckland, which bhe completed this morning. Tho steamer left Delagoa Bay on December 18 with a cargo of co.il for Auckland, and moderate weather was met with till January 18, when a heavy gale blew up from the north-west. Tho weather showed no signs of abating on tlie following day, and for three days tremendous seas smashed aboard amidships on the starboard quarter. Great damage was done to deck fittings, and the position became very serious when the 'arge wheel in the steam steeringgear was carried away, leaving the Hornfels tossing helplessly in the storm. Steps were at once taken to utilise the hand steering-gear, which is situated aft of the winches. Tackles were rigged up, and amid great difficulties, the officers succeeded in keeping the ship running before the gale. On the 11th inst., the weather showed some signs of clearing up, and thence, to her arrival at Auckland, conditions were more favorable. The vessel's companionways were carried away, davits were badly bent and twisted, and other deck littings suffered. j