STEAMER IN PERIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 November 1919, Page 4

STEAMER IN PERIL.

ADVENTURE OF THE KAHU. FIGHTING AGAINST WATER. FRESH FOOD SPOILT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night The Kahu, which had such a terrible* experience on her last trip to the Chat* hams, returned this morning. It iB ap« parent from the accounts given by members of the crew that the vessel an 4 those aboard had a wonderful'escape, The Kalm left Wellington on Octobel* 21st, and off Pencarrow experienced a strong north-westerly gale, with heavy seas. The weather became worse, and the Kahu struggled on through gigantio seas until early in the afternoon of tha 23rd, when a great wave swept ovejj her.

A lifeboat was lifted from its and landed on the steering gear, which jammed, and the vessel would not; answer her helm, and was broached to, Seas continued to sweep over tha veggei* and a quantity of water got into tha engine room, and the pumps had to be kept going. In spite of the enormous difficulties the lifeboat was moved off the steering gear and the vessel wag brought: round on her course again. During the following night all aboard had a sorry experience. The pumps proved incapable of coping with the inflow of water, and all hands, including three women, set to work baling. Tha water continued to gain, however, and the lifeboaj; was made ready. " Shortly after midnight the fires went out, and it then appeared to all tha( their chances had gone. However, bailinL was proceeded with, during th» foreT 1 noon of the 24th the water in tha engine-room was reduced sufficiently tq relight the fires. By 2.30 p.m. steam.waa up, and the vessel made for Whangaroa, where she arrived the same night, and was beached. t Ihose aboard suifered privation owing to the fresh food being spoiled by iett water.