"NEAPED" REALITY

The West Australian, 29 March, 1913

STEAMERS HELD UP,

THE BULLARRA AND WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

Owing to the severe weather on the north

west coast, both the State steamer Western

Australia, and the Adelaide Company's

cattle carrier Bullarra are held up near

Port Hedland. No information regarding

the Bullarra's arrival at Hedland appeared

on the shipping board at the Port yesterday, 

but from other sources it was learned

that the vessel reached that port at 1 a.m.

on the 27th inst., and anchored outside the

harbour. The local office of the Adelaide

Company at noon yesterday received a wire

stating that both vessels were still held up,

but as the weather was then showing signs

of abating, it was thought that they would

be able to leave for Cossack last evening.

The Bullarra is probably anchored a few

miles out of the port. whilst the State

steamer is tied up at the jetty, where she

has been since her arrival on Wednesday

morning last. Her position is a perfectly

safe one, although it is more than probable

that she will be "neaped' unless the weather

allowed her to get away last night. This

would mean that the vessel would be tied up

for six days, and as water supply, for stock

purposes is not too plentiful at the port,

and the steamer has a big consignment of

cattle aboard, which would have to be landed, 

the position of being "neaped" means a

considerable inconvenience in many 
respects. The Builarra also is anchored 
in a perfectly safe position as long as the 
storm remains non-cyclonic.

Fix this text

Another, of many examples, illustrating the pressure Captain Allen was under to depart Hedland, 20 March, 1912.

courtesy Trove.