The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1907-11-22
MARINE

E Winsnes declares must nave Deen a
tidal wave. This occurred on Satur-
day, November 2, in longitude 47.sS
north and latitude HIP west. The
vessel was bound to Taku, China, with
a cargo of lumber, part of which. con-
sisting of massive timbers 1Sx1S inches
in size, were carried as deck load.
The steamer when seen yesterday
showed signs of an experience which
must have been terrific. Her forward
mast is completely gone, being. though
made of steel, broken completely off
near her deck and far below her deck
load. The after mast is broken of at
a distance of some twenty-five or more
feet from the deck and at half this
height is bent double.
On the Admiral Borresen's starboard
side forward, the upper plates, form
ing the bulwark, are bent over as if
they were cardboard. Her saloon and
cabins forward are a mass of ruins,
and are filed with broken articles of
furniture and furnishings. In falling.
the forward mast struck the TOP of
the house and its side, crushing the
latter, which is built of steel, and
breaking the glass ports and bending
their heavy brass fittings out of shape.
The side of the big steamer, which
is OF nearly 1000 tons burden, is scrap
ed and SCARED where the masts swung
back and forth, after they had been
snapped off and while efforts to cut
them away were being made. 1t takes
but a glance to see that the Admiral
Borresen was indeed lucky TO escape
after her encounter with the tremend-
Gus force which the tidal wave
brought to bear on her.
A board of survey, composed of Alec
Lyle, of the firm of Sorenson and Lyle,
Captain A. Fuller, the local harbor-
master, and a representative of the
Honolulu Iron Works. has been APP
pointed by Theo II. Davies & Com
pany, the local agents for Lloyd's. They
will start their examination this morn
ing. Before complete inspection can
be made, it will be necessary for the
Admiral Borresen's cargo to be dis
which will take some time.
She will then need a long tims for
even temporary repairs to be made, as
she must have new masts, booms, rig
ging, bulwarks and bulkheads. There
must be extensive repairs made to her
bridge, rails, cabins and saloon, though
it is not probable that her engines will
need any overhauling.
Shortly after leaving the Sound the
Admiral Borresen ran into a series
of northwest gales which kept in
creasing in force and made it difficult
for the vessel to make satisfactory
Roadway. Though some slight dam
age was done at this time there was
nothing really serious till nearly one
o'clock at night on November 2, when
a great wave struck the ship and,
breaking loose part of the deck load
of heavy timbers, smashed the masts
as if they had been matches. The
captain was in his cabin at the time,
and had been talking with his wife,
telling her that the vessel was in great
danger. The forward mast fell over
the cabin and the room was filled with
water. The steward came in and
assisted Mrs. Winsnes, to help her
husband, who had been rendered I'M
by blow on the head, and |
then it was a case of counting noses
to see that all were still on board. |
some miracle there were no |
lives lost.
Volunteers to cut away the wreck
age were called for and the men 70
sponded at once, with courage which |
could not be surpassed. In the utmost |
danger at every moment, they hack
ed away at the rigging and steel
M &C Of he
way, the ship would have no chance
Of safety. The idea of getting away
n the boats was hardly thought of
and would have been useless, as the
sea was so heavy that even a life
boat would only have lasted for
short time.
Finally, daylight came, and with ii
he storm claimed. down, but even then
he danger was great. Until all the
had been cut away and the
ieck load shifted the vessel could not
esume an even keel. This took time
md the steamer was not in condition
o proceed meanwhile. In the midst
II the storm timbers from the deck
Dad were washed overheard and tan
lied in the propeller and had one of
he heavy ones hit the rudder it would
AVE meant death for all on board.
The rudder for several minutes became
and the vessel was only
.ept from swinging broad side to the
waves by her propeller
Admiral Borresen only made about
hree or. four inches of water a day,
which was handled with ease by her
Jumps, SO no danger was felt from
his source. She is nearly new and
5 a magnificent vessel of her class.
With an old vessel it is hardly likely
hat she would have weathered the
ale and sea.
BOARD OF SURVEY.
The preliminary work of the board
f survey appointed by Davies & Com
any tosexamine the Admiral Borresen,
tarted yesterday morning but was by
o means completed. Until the deck
pad has been discharged and posi- ,,
ly the rest of her cargo, there can be
o satisfactory inspection made. The q
aptain of the Norwegian steamer ]
Tould be only too glad to sell his cargo !,
f lumber here, and it should be easy :
0 find purchaser, but the eoastwise ]
10