SHIP MEETS CYCLONE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 51, 2 March 1939, Page 6

SHIP MEETS CYCLONE

HUNDREDS OF MILES OFF COURSE BATTERED BY BIG SEAS I Per PreNR Association.! AUCKLAND, March 1. After a 24 hours’ battle with a cyclone in the South Pacific last week the Union Company's chartered motor-ship Tolten, of 5348 tons, arrived at Auckland from the Pacific Coast via Papeete. Unable to hold her course in the teeth of the cyclone, the Tolten was 260 miles off her normal steaming track when conditions moderated and was fortunate in being able to proceed to port without damage. On leaving Papeete for Auckland on February 18, the motor-ship ran into heavy rain, lasting for four days, the downpour .being followed by a cyclonic storm. The south-west course of the Tolten was altered to northwest in order to run before the high wind and terrific seas. The master of the vessel, Captain Evans, stated that the fact that the ship was in good trim probably saved her from damage. Had she been deeply loaded the Tolten would have received a severe battering. Heavy seas mounted the ship as she was swept before the cyclone, and as the .waves occasionally lashed the fore-

deck, on which a cargo of livestock was carried, the squealing of four pigs could be hoard even above the tumult of the weather. The livestock, which also included six sheep, arrived safely. It was pointed out on the arrival of the ship that vessels on transpacific trade routes have usually no opportunity of avoiding cyclonic storms, because lack of communications made it very difficult for the track of disturbances to be planned.