FERRY STEAMBOAT RACING.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 269, 15 November 1887, Page 5

FERRY STEAMBOAT RACING.

THE VICTORIA. AND EAGLE

EPISODE.

COMPLAINTS TO HARBOUR BOARD,

CAPTAIN BURGESS THINKS MATTERS TOO SERIOUS TO BE PASSED OVER.

At the meeting of the Harbour Board this afternoon the following correspondence re ferry steamer matters and especially with respect to the sensational escape from collision on the 9th inst. was submitted :— Devonport Steam Ferry Company, Queenstreet Wharf. November 15th, 1887. To the Chairman and members of the Auck' land Harbour Board.

Gentlemen, —I am directed to thank your Board for their decision respecting my letter of November Ist re the Eagle not being run according to the timetable advertised and appoved by your Board, and also to draw your attention to the fact that on the 9th of November last the Eagle missed several trips altogether, running to St. Holier s Bay. Taking for granted that the decision of your Board would be enforced, I advertised that one of my Company's steamers would run throughout the day to St. Helier's, the last trip to be from there at six o'clock, although the Eagle was adver tised to leave the same place at the same time. But to my surprise 1 found that though your Board had neither granted permission so to do, nor permitted a suspension of their ferry tinie table the Eagle was taken off the ferry service and run to St. Helier's. The outcome of this was that the two steamers—the Victoria and Eagle— ! left fSt. Holler's wharf close upon one ' another, and through the fault of one of the captains a collision nearly occuiTed which has caused a very great deal of unfavourable comment, and has a tendency to causo the public to bo fearful of travelling on such excursions, and which also causes the directors and myself to feel a responsibility and want of confidence which has not previously existed. As it has been notified by the press that an inquiry in respect to tho above is to take place, J refrain from making any reference as to which boat was in fault. Tho directors urge an inquiry into this matter, whoever is to blame, for, as far as our Company is concerned, eacli of the captains lias had written and verbla instructions to take every precaution to avoid collision with the Eagle, and if our captain has been to blame ho must tako the consequences of his actions. It is utterly impossible for me to satisfactorily manage my Company's traffic if the opposition ferry boats run where and when they please, without the sanction, and in fact, in direct opposition to your Board's instructions and decisions. The Uevonport Ferry Company have carried hundreds of thousands of people during tho past six years on the ferry and excursion traffic,and, during the whole of that time there has been no casualty of any kind; while, since tho opposition has started, there seems to be no safety because they seem to do as they please. The timetable of my Company was strictly adhered to on the 9th of November, as it always is. 1 trust, therefore, your Board will cause an inquiry to be held in respect to the matter of the Eagle and Victoria on the 9th inst.,antl that your Board will carry out the decision you were pleased to arrive at at your last meeting as per your favour of November 2nd, Nd. B 8 322.—1 remain, etc., Alex. Alison, Jlanager D.S.F. Co.

Auckland, November 10th, 1887. To the Secretary of the Harbour Board, Auckland.

Sir, —We wish to bring under the notice of your Board the reckless and disgraceful conduct of the persons in charge of the ferry steamers Victoria and Eagle on the 6 p.m. trip of these steamers returning from St. Helier's Bay yesterday. Both steamers left the wharf about the same time. The Victoria, on which we were passengers, having the start, was crowded—in fact packed with passengers. When once fairly started it was evident that we were to be treated to a steamboat, race and through the racing tactics of one or both of the captains a collision was barely avoided. The danger appeared so imminent that a number of the ladies on board the Victoria fainted, and in fact we all thought it was bound to be a case of smash. This kind of sport was kept up for a considerable time, and the strain was so intense on numbers of the more nervous passengers that it will be long before they get the' better of their excursion. We now most respectfully ask that the Harbour Board will cause an inquiry to be made in respect to our complaint, and a salutary lesson given to the offending party or parties, for unless an immediate stop is put to this disgraceful and dangerous practice a big wail will be heard in Auckland one of these days.—We are, etc., P. Austin. John Thompson.

Appended to this letter was the following memo, from the Secretary : "Keferred to Harbour-master for inquiry and report. I understand the Deputy Harbour-master was on board the Eagle when the matters complained of took place. — J. M. Brigham."

This was followed by another memo, as follows: —"I have already made inquiry and think the matter too serious to be passed over. Captain Fisher, who was a passenger on board the Eagle, fully corroborates what is stated in this letter. — I. J. Burgess. November 10th, 1887."