Storm at sea - Peter Curnow

SummaryIn 1961, Peter Curnow aboard the New York City encountered a storm at sea. Later he coped the ship's log as a memento here. Main BodyArticle looking wrong? Archive version here.
In 1961, Peter Curnow aboard the New York City encountered a storm at sea. Later he copied the ship's log as a memento. This is recorded below.

SS New York City Chas Hill Bristol1961

MV New York City, Charlie Hill shipping Briston, UK. Several ships to USA and Canada and used to rough weather.

Voyage 1961, Avonmounth, Port Bristol. Lord Newport, Avonmouth, Cardiff, Swansea.

January 1961. Discharge Boston, Baltimore Newark, New York, Newport New’s then Halifax Canada after discharging and reloading at the ports. Discharged many Austin Metropolitan cars in US. Reload general cargo and bulk tobacco Newpoet Virginia and Halifax.
Double bow plates buckled on arrival in USA.

[missing]…of the 31st, the wind which had been from a westerly direction came around to ENE force 3 and began to freshen with a steady and rapidly filling barometer until 14:30 when the wind was E.S.E 8. Continuous light snow sleet and latterly rain experienced during the period. From 14:30 onwards the rain was heavy and continuous. At 17:46 the vessel passed a heavy line of rain shown on the radar, running in a 120 degrees / 300 degrees direction approx. assumed to be a front. At this point the wind veered to the south and freshened to force 10, the barometer rose 2 MBS and then continued falling rapidly.

Between 2030 and 2200 the wind moderated becoming variable force 4 with a heavy confused swell. At 2200 the barometer reached its lowest reading of 28"00 948.2 mbs. It then started rising very sharply whereupon the wind freshened to force 8 from the W.S.W. As the barometer climbed sharply the wind force increased greatly as tabled following , until 0100 and 8330 on the 1st February it was estimated as westerly 12 with a wind speed of 70-80 knots. At this time the visibility was zero in rain flying foam and spray, the vessel rolling and pitching very violently and shipping heavy seas in mountainous sea, and precipitous swell of at least 50 feet in height.

From 0330 the wind moderated slowly until 1030 when it backed to W.S.W force 10, veering to west again at 1230, the rapidly rising barometer now slowing appreciably.

Between 2130 on the 31st January and 1330 the 1st February, course was resumed at which time the wind was west 9/8. from 1330 to 2400 the wind continued to moderate. At 2400 1st of February the barometer being 29"90 the wind SW 4.

Throughout the period the sky was heavily overcast and for the most part the visibility was poor. No temperatures were taken after 2230, 31st January (48 degrees F) as both wet and dry bulb thermometers vanished without trace from the Stevenson screen which itself was badly damaged.

No readings were taken with the mercurial barometer, which had been out of order for some weeks and was smashed at the height of the storm. As will be seen, from this log book no barometer readings have been reported due to this.

Stories - People

Peter Curnow - Born 1936

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AcknowledgementTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries

Relates To

PeoplePeter Curnow - Royal Air Force Station LaarbruchEventsTauranga Memories (2011-2021) - Events

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AuthorTauranga City Libraries Staff - Harley CouperArchived Kete Linkhttps://perma.cc/TTC2-Y63PType of ContributionLibrary story Last edited by: Matanga Taonga Tuku Iho Maori

Last edited by: Matanga Taonga Tuku Iho Maori

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Storm at sea - Peter Curnow