On several occasions, both on the homeward and outward runs, the Turakina encountered very severe gales, sometimes reaching cyclonic force, occasioning serious damage to the ship, and on one occasion she put into Rio for repairs. One of her worst experiences was in 1898. She left London for Port Chalmers on April 28, and had a most trying experience all the way to the Cape, meeting with a continuance of heavy gales and terrific seas. The bad weatherpage 131 started in the Channel and the ship labouring heavily forced Captain Fox to make for Portland Bay for shelter. The ship started again on 6th May. Favourable weather with light winds and calms were met with until the equator was crossed on the 4th June. The south-east trades were taken before crossing the line, and being more southerly than usual several tacks had to be made to clear the coast of Brazil.