Gales In Central Pacific
p. 12 · Read in the full issue
A NUMBER of freighters handling phosphate have been delayed in re cent weeks at Ocean and Nauru Islands by the most persistent westerly gales experienced for several years.
Neither of the two phosphate islands has a port, or even a sheltered anchor age, and the unfortunate freighters had to steam up and down within sight of the islands for lengthy periods, waiting for the severe westerly weather to abate.
One ship spent no less than six weeks hanging on and off Ocean Island. The crew had a miserable experience, be cause all fresh food was exhausted, and they were shut in at nights, in the heavy tropical heat, because of the “black-out” regulations.