A STEAMER IN A GALE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2279, 12 November 1891, Page 3

A STEAMER IN A GALE.

Sydney, Nov. 10

The steamer Jubilee had a terrible experience. She left here on Tuesday evening, the 3rd instant, and had fine weather till Thursday, when about half way on her journey. Here she ran into a terrific gale, and heavy seas took charge of the vessel, breaking high over all. As the gale increased in violence the vessel was headed to sea, but still the waves swept the ship, and huge quantities of water poured down the stoke-hole, extinguishing four out of six furnaces. The situation had now become critical, as the vessel was scarcely able to steam against the storm. The bilge pump became choked, and some of the passengers set to work to assist the firemen to bail out the stoke-hole, while others carried coal from the after hatch, the bunkers being cut off by water. The occupants of the engine-room were working up to their necks in water, and managed to keep steering way on the vessel. The gale appeared at its height on Friday night, with a frightful sea. At 2.30 on Saturday morning the vessel must have fallen off into the trough of the sea, when a tremendous wave came aboard. It struck well aft, and completely wrecked the front of the saloon The steward's pantry and the staterooms were flooded, while the ladies' cabin had four feet of water in it. A scene of great excitement ensued amongst the passengers, and as it was feared that she was going down they rushed from their berths only partly clad. Many stood up to their armpits, while others were sheltered on the top of the saloon tables. At daylight the gale showed signs of giving eut, and the passengers began to bail out the saloon. On Sunday morning the weather broke fine, and the captain decided to return to Sydney to repair damages. Several of the crew were knocked about considerably, and one of the stewards had a narrow escape of being washed overboard. The passengers speak in the highest terms in praise of the manner in which the captain, officers, and engineers carried out their duties in the trying situation. The firemen and engineers claim to have saved the steamer Jubilee, as had they not succeeded in keeping up sufficient steam to give the vessel steerage way, she must inevitably have been engulfed. The Jubilee had 180 passengers on board. The conduct of the crew is highly commended. The engine-room hands were continuously on duty from 30 to 60 hours, and the captain never left the bridge for 60 hours.