STEAMER IN HURRICANE.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 December 1920, Page 4

STEAMER IN HURRICANE.

LOSS OF AN OFFICER APPRENTICE. JAP. BOAT AT NEW PLYMOUTH. The Japanese steamer Tamon Maru No. 0 arrived at New Plymouth yesterday from Kobe (Japan), via Auckland. The Tamon Maru has a crew of 43 Japanese and is under the command of Captain Kuril Shima. She is 337 feet long, with a gross tonnage of .1321 tons. On entering port she was drawing 17 feet forward and '2O feet aft. Shortly after leaving Kobe for New Zealand the Tamon Maru ran into a cyclone off the Japanese coast, and an officer apprentice named S. Miirakame was washed overboard and lost. Extensive damage was done to the vessel, and she had to put back to Kobe for repairs. On leaving Kobe again she had not steamed far before encountering another' terrific cyclone, and amongst other damage a boat was carried away by the seas and lost. However, the weatfcer moderated, and the vessel reached Auckland without further incident. This is the Tamon Maru's first visit to New Zealand waters, pjthongh she was built 37 years ago. Prior to being converted into a cargo carrier she was engaged in passenger traffic. It will probably take about two weeks to discharge the cargo of 1900 tons of superphosphate, and it is then expected the Tamon Maru will sail for Wellington.