GALES ON THE COAST.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 435, 16 May 1899, Page 2

GALES ON THE COAST.

LOSS OF LIFE. Very heavy gales prevailed on the Coast from Thursday to Saturday night. The gauge at Wellington showed for twentyhours a velocity of 510 miles. The Takapuna, which arrived fror* Onehunga via New Plymouth, shipped a good deal of water, but nothing serious happened until the steamer was entering Wellington Head 3 when a tremendous sea came over the quarter and washed a seaman named Andrew Hughsou overboard. He was never seen again. Mr Williams, the Chief Officer was dashed against the rail and had a naarow escape. As it is he is badly knocked about. Both boats aft were smashed to sueh an extent that they are not worth mending. Captain Grant describes the sea as being the worst he has ever experienced coming into the Wellington Heads. The which did the damage reached as high as the bridge, and some of the heavy spray went over it. The Mokoia on her passage from Lyt« telton, was Dcaring Wellington Heads, when a tremendous sea broke on board and washed two women some distance along the alleyway, and buried several children up to their necks. Owing to the heavy sea running at Gisborne, the Shaw, Savill steamer Tokomaru could not be tendered. There were no departures from Wellington from Friday to Sunday afternoon. At Timaru a man, uamed Catlow, was washed off the wbarf and drowned.