SHIPPING CASUALTY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 303, 21 December 1903, Page 5

SHIPPING CASUALTY.

SCHOONER JESSIE NICCOL SUNK BY THE STEAMER ROTOMAHANA. NO LIVES LOST. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Sunday.

The steamer Rotomahana, which left the port for Lyttelton about twenty minutes past nine last night, had not gone half-a-mile from the wharf when she crashed into the schooner Jessie Xiccol, which was riding at anchor in the stream. The impact was very severe, the steamer's bows practically cutting right through the little sailer. The engines were immediately stopped, and the schooner, weighed down by the inrush of water through her shattered deck and side, settled down by the bows and sank in a few minutes, with ihe Rotpmiihuna's bow projecting right over her stern. Only Captain Smith and two members- of his crew were on beard the schooner at the time, and all three were in bed. The captain states that he heard shouts of people on board the steamer; almost simultaneously the after part of the schooner and the cabin were shattered to pieces. The seamen were in the forepart of the vessel. The captain hud a miraculous pseap°. ami before he left his cabin the water was up to his waist. Ru.-hing on deck he ciimbed up the bow of ilie Rotomahana just as his own craft went down by the rose in .'Oft of water, and pointed her stern skywards. The after part of the ship remained above wafer for n few minutes, and the seamen took up a. position on tbe bulwarks until n boat was lowered from the steamer, and they were taken on board the Rotomahana, which returned to the wharf. After an inspection it was ascertained that she had suliY-red no serious damage, and she proceeded on her voyage south an hour later. Captain Smith states that he had the regulation lights for ships at anchor burning, but admits that it is possible Captain Manning may have mistaken his mast light for the lights of a big liner, which was coaling at the rear of the schooner. The Jessie Niceol's cargo consisted of bricks. | reduce, and general goods, valued at £1000. It is believed that the schooner is not insured. Efforts are to lie made to raise her.