THE MOHOWAI’S TRIP..

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3215, 11 May 1911, Page 4

THE MOHOWAI’S TRIP..

VESSEL SEVERELY TOSSED ABOUT. MOUNTAINOUS SEAS OFF EAST CAPE. CAPTAIN COULD NOT PICK UP LICHTS. /. TUATEA TO THE RESCUE WITH FLARES. Although there was not any sign of the- Monowai from Tuahine Point at 9.45 last evening, the Tuatea with a large number of passengers left the wharf at 10 p.m. and put out into the bay. She cruised towards the northern end of the bay, but could not pick up any lights for some time. Eventually, after several flare lights liad been burned, an answering flare was made out well away to sea in a southerly direction. Signal rockets were then sent up and) the launch cruised about the bay until the Monowai came up to the anchorage about 11.30 p.m., after a passage of 28 hours from Auckland _

Captain when approached by a “Times” reporter, said that the steamer had been delayed for several hours in her departure from Auckland on account of the late arrival of a consignment of fruit. When leaving Auckland at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday, the wind was freshening, and the vessel was tossed about a good deal from the time she rounded Cape Colville. Coming across the Bay of Plenty she encountered mountainous seas and exceedingly strong winds, which hampered her progress considerably. East Coast was passed scon after four o’clock yesterday morning, and the weather moderated to a great extent as the vessel reached Tologa Bay, all hope of connecting with Tokomaru Bay having been abandoned.

Captain Collins went on to say thathe had been unable to pick up the Tualiine light and had only caught sight of Young Nick's Head for the space of a lew seconds, the weather being very tliick and dirty. He had sent word below that the Gisborne passengers would net be landed until the morning and had intended standing out to sea for the night when he saw the Tuatea’s flares

Most of the Gisborne passengers had retired, and some indignation, it is understood, was expressed at their having to tarn out again at so late an hour. On the return trip the Tuatea cid not reacli the wharf until 1.30 o'clock this morning, when: passengers were landed in the drizzling rain.