Large hole found in side of stricken ship

Surveyors examining the damaged cargo ship Horn Cliff, which nearly capsized in a storm off Ireland, have found an 18-inch hole in its side, the coastguard said today.

The 13,000 tonne vessel is presently anchored in Falmouth Bay, Cornwall, after the storm that left her captain seriously injured when the ship lurched violently from side to side in the force 10 gale that hit on Friday.