THE RECENT CALE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2695, 28 December 1909, Page 5

THE RECENT CALE.

STEAMERS’ TRYING EXPERIENCES. '

rPicii Puuss Association.] WELLINGTON, Dec. 27. The gale blew itself out last night, and to-day wag beautifully fine for the holiday. . • . .. The worst experience during the storm was that of the. Rakanoa, collier, from Westport. She was within a few miles of Wellington Heads when the weather broke with such force that shei was driven to sea and tossed about all Sunday. (She was continually swept by the waves. The skylights were smashed and the cabins flooded. While trying to fasten down coverings, three men were hurled across the deck and severely injured. One, Anthony Murray, had two ribs broken and his head gashed. Frank Thomas received a gaping wound on the instep, and Robert Mattson had his shoulder crushed. Another man named Farrey was badly bruised by another sea. The Rakanoa did not get in till 9 p.m.. and by all accounts had a narrow escape. The injured men were removed to the .hospital. , The Glasgow tramp steamer Auchendale, with oil from* New York, via Auckland, also had a rough time. She encountered the storm at daylight on Christmas Day,, and in 12 hours made about 12 miles. The decks were awash, the officers’ quarters flooded, and the stern was frequently so high out of the water that the racing of the engines damaged them, and repairs will be needed. The captain says it was the worst weather he has ever experienced.

Reports show that the weather was generaly fine to-day, and that the southerly has blown itself out, except in the far north. AUCKLAND, Dec. 27. During the gale on Sunday the steamer Invertay dragged two anchors and drifted on the mud bank in Shoal Bay. She was towed off by the harbor tug uninjured. The Celtic King, which left for Valparaiso on Friday, returned last night. She met the gale 300 miles from the coast, and was swept by heavy seas, which washed away 150 tons of coal on the fore deck and caused minor damages.

ROUGH TRIP OF THE MARAROA. CHRISTCHURCH. Dec. 27. The ferry steamer Mararoa, which was held up in Wellington harbor on Saturday night by the mountainous sea which was running across Cook Straits and harbor entrance, reached Lyttelton at 4.35 a.m. to-day. She left Wellington wharf with about 100 passengers late on Saturday night, hut owing to the violent gale and the terrific seas which were breaking across the heads, Captain Manning decided to anchor until more favorable conditions obtained. The weather having moderated somewhat, the Mararoa got under way about noon yesterday, and cleared Wellington Heads about 12.30 p.m. The vessel ran straight into a very high sea, and at once commenced to make matters unpleasant for those on board. The weather was so bad in Cook Strait that Captain Manning slowed the Mararoa down to ten knots, and after that, the vessel behaved better, and matters xvere more comfortable on board. As the vessel got down the coast the weather rapidly improved, and became fine after she passed ICaikoura.