cruise liner Horizon lost control as she attempted to sail for New York in "hurricane-like'' winds and seas.

Eyewitnesses said the Horizon smashed into yachts in Convict Bay and narrowly missed crashing into Ordnance Island.

They said the huge 12-deck, 42,000-ton cruise ship ran into difficulty as she was heading for Town Cut channel. They said she veered into Convict Bay, sending yachts scrambling.

"If she had not thrown down her anchor when she did she would have cleaned out all the yachts in the harbour,'' said St. Georgian Mrs. Maria Caisey, who saw the near-disaster from the balcony of the St. George's Dinghy and Sports Club.

Mrs. Caisey said the tug Faithful managed to "hold off'' the Horizon while yachts in her way were quickly moved. Added Mrs. Caisey: "It was like a hurricane out there.'' Mr. Peter Lever, who was dining at the White Horse Tavern, said the "dramatic'' incident sent dozens of people onto the wharf to watch. "The wind almost blew her into Ordnance Island,'' he said.

The Faithful eventually got control of the ship and literally dragged her by the stern back to her usual berth at Penno's Wharf.

A Harbour Radio spokesman said at least two yachts were damaged when the liner crashed into them. But he said the damage was "not too serious'' as both yachts were still afloat after the Horizon was pulled away from them by the tug.

Meyer Agencies Ltd. president the Wor. Henry Hayward said the Horizon 's captain and two Marine and Ports pilots on board made the decision to "go for it''. He said he would not have advised the move.

Southwesterly winds were gusting as high as 41 knots when the ship was preparing to leave at about 7 p.m., Mr. Hayward said.

"She started heading for the channel, saw how bad it was and aborted the departure,'' he said. "She then started getting into difficulty and a tug was called in to assist.'' A Harbour Radio spokesman said the Horizon "got the last of some very blustery weather''.

Had the high winds continued for another five minutes she would have "cleaned out'' a lot more yachts, he said.

The Horizon does not usually enter Town Cut if winds are higher than 17 knots.

But instead of being unable to get into St. George's this time, she could not get out.

The liner was last night safely back at her berth at Penno's Wharf and is expected to leave sometime this morning.