PASSENGERS spoke of their terror when a 50ft freak wave smashed into the luxury cruise ship Oriana, sending water cascading down three decks.

The Oriana was on her first cruise in the North Atlantic, sailing from New York to home port Southampton, when the wave struck 600 miles west of Ireland.

Three passengers and an officer were cut by flying glass and 20 cabins were flooded as the wave hit the £200 million P&O liner during a Force 10 gale on Thursday.

As the emergency alarms sounded the captain turned the ship round to face the brunt of the waves so emergency repairs could be made to shattered windows.

Gosport Borough Council leader Peter Edgar was on board and saw the "gigantic'' wave hit, followed shortly after by water coming through the door to the restaurant he was in.

"It was extremely frightening - something that no one would ever want to experience again.

"We owe a debt to the captain and crew who made sure a very difficult situation did not become a tragedy."

Captain Richard Fennelow said the wave was a freak event that could not be planned for, and praised the work of his crew.

"These things do happen occasionally at sea but the ship is designed to stand the toughest conditions."

The 1,525 passengers returned to dry land yesterday when the 69,000-ton ship came in to Southampton a day late.

The incident separated the Hook family from Wellow, Hampshire. Parents Alison and Barry Hook spent more than an hour not knowing where their 15-year-old son was.

Social worker Alison, 45, said she had been alone in a cabin when she heard a loud bang, and saw the corridor fill with smoke and water.

"We found out later that Paul was led out through the staff quarters, but we could not get to him for about an hour-and-a-half."

Husband Barry, 45, said his 19-year-old daughter's cabin had been one of the most severely affected.

"It was extremely dramatic - we lost a lot of possessions in the clear-up. But it was dealt with very well by the captain and the crew."

Newlyweds Peter and Jackie King from Hythe were celebrating in style with the trip from New York, but were only two cabins away from the damaged rooms.

Jackie, 38, said: "The crew were brilliant - they showed us out to safety."

The couple, who married on September 18, said they were moved to another cabin.

Dry-cleaner Peter, 40, said: "We have had a brilliant trip; it was just an accident."

One couple who were also more than happy with their trip were Lance and Yvonne Andrews from Salisbury, who won the cruise in a competition.

Lance, 56, who works for the Army Air Services at Middle Wallop, said: "We got an extra day out of it and the hospitality was free, so there was no bar bill on the last day.

"We had a very merry end to the cruise - people who were not directly affected have nothing to complain about."

P&O cruises managing director David Dingle said an internal investigation was under way but the company has every confidence in the Oriana.

"At no time were the ship, passengers or crew in any danger whatsoever."

The Oriana was due to set sail on an Indian summer cruise on Saturday, but sailing was delayed while repair work was carried out.

The slightly shortened voyage started last night once work on the affected windows was completed.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.