HEAVY WEATHER.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3016, 12 November 1891, Page 2

HEAVY WEATHER.

+ THE JUBILEE IN DANGER. (BY ELKCTBIO TKr.KORAPH,— COPYRIGHT). Sydney, November 10. Thb steamer Jubilee has returned to this port, having had atenible experience. She left here on Tuesday evening, ths 3rd inst., for Wellington, and hud fino weather until Thursday. When about half way on her journey she ran into a terrific gale, and heavy seas took charge of the vessel. The gale increased in violence, but the vessel was held to sea. StiJl the waves swept the ship, and a hure quantity ot water pourol down the stoke hole, extinguishing four of the 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 «f the passengers had to set to work to assist the firemen to bale out the stoke-holes, while .ithern carried coal from the hatches, the bunkers being full of 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 to be at its height on Friday night, with a fearful sea running. At half-past two on Saturday morning, the vessel having fallen off into the trough, a sea came aboard. It struck well aft, and completely wrecked the front of tho saloon. The stewards' pantry and state-rooms were flooded, while the ladies' cabin had four feet of water in it. Thcro was a scene of great excitement among the passengere, and, as they feared she was going down, they rushed wildly from their berths only partly clad. Many stood up to their armpits in water, whilst others sheltered themselves on the top of tho saloon tables. At daylight tho gale showc I si«ns of giving out, and the passengers began to bale out the saloon. On Sund iy the weather broke fine, and the captain decided to return to Sydney to repair tho damigf. Several of tho crew were knocked about considerably, and one of them had a narrow escape of being washed overboard. The passengers speak in the highest terms of praise of the manner in which the captain, officers, and engineers carried out their duties in the trying circumstances. Latkr. The firemen and engineers claim to have saved the stoamer Jubilee, as had they not succeeded in keoping on sufficient steam to give the vessel steerage way she muct inevitably have been engulphed. Tho Jubilee had ISO passengers on board. The action of the crew is highly commended. The engine-room hands were continuously on duty from 30 to GO hours, and the captain never left the bridge for 60 hours. November 11.

The seconi officer of the Jubilee na*. rowly escaped beine washed away by the wave which wrecked the front of the aaloun. The captain caught him as he was ewapt to the rail.