HEAVY WEATHER ON THE AUSTRALIAN COAST.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 4942, 4 February 1895, Page 3

HEAVY WEATHER ON THE AUSTRALIAN COAST.

CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO SHIPPING.

(Received Fobruary 4,1 a.m.) Sydney, February 3. A severe gale has been experienced hero since Friday night, and the highest sea known for many years has been running in tho Harbour. The ferry service has been partially suspended. In shipping' affairs the delay has been general, and all ycssels which have arrived, report that they lwd an exceptionally rough time. Fears are entertained for the safety of a number of the smaller coastal craft. Tho steam collier. Mount Kembln, laden with coal, broke looso at Wollongono, and was sunk in the harbour, in order to prevent her being thrown upon the shore and wrecked, It is expected she will ho floated without damage. The weather is now moderating. Bkisbaxk, February 3.

The gale still continues, and the sea is something tremendous. All steamers are arriving late, and each report one of the worst storms ever experienced.

The Wodoneia from Cooktown hove to for '24 hours. Thesteamei's South Australian and Arawatta had a similar experience, and arrived in a battered condition. Tho former,wbichcamc from Sydney lost 40 valuable slmlvams on tlio journey, through their exposure to the bad weather. The Lema, due on Thursday from northern ports, arrived this morning, after a fearful experience. Her decks were continually swept by the heavy seas, and her trysail carried awity.

In attempting to nest the canvas a maintainor sea swooped on board, and the Chief Officer and four of the crew, who were engaged in the task, were injured, the first named being rendered incapable for theremainder of the the voyage. One of the life boats was stove in, and as fho glass of the skylights were smashed, a large quantity of water found its way into the cabin and stoke hole. The vessel ran short of coal and provisions and was hove to for many hours. She reported her condition at Double Island, and the Derwent was sent from hereto assist her and supplied her with coal and provisions. The captain was 011 the bridge for 53 hours, Two valuable horses died from knocking about received. She sighted the Schooners leffy and Guannong, which were driven out to sea, the former with tho bulwarks washed away. The Leffy was short of provisions and her locker was replenished by the Lema. The Guannong was half full of water.