RUN DOWN IN DARK.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 79, 3 April 1928, Page 8

RUN DOWN IN DARK.

COLLISION OFF NORTH HEAD. SCOW HAVOC FILLS AMD TURNS TURTLE. STRUCK BY HIKURANGI.

Less than two minutes after she had been struck by the coastal steamer Hikurangi, the scow Havoc filled and capsized off North Head about 10 o'clock last evening. Her crew had barely enough time to let loose the towing lines before the scow heeled over.

At the time of the mishap the Havoc, fully loaded with stone from the Rangl* toto quarry to be used in finishing off the breakwater forming the boat harbour at St. Mary's Bay, was being towed up the harbour by the launch Orere. The Hikurangi, which is one of the best known of the fleet of coastal steamers trading out of Auckland, was bound for Wliangarei to lift a cargo of Hikurangi coal.

On board the Havoc were the master, Captain W. Stevenson, and his mate, G. Rosenfeldt.

Personal Belongings Lost. There was a crash of splintered timber as the iron bows of the Hikurangi drove themselves into the port shoulder of the scow, making a hole through which the water at once poured. Almost immediately the scow, with her deadweight cargo, began to settle down. Realising that they were likely to be in the water before many minutes longer, the crew of two worked feverishly to cast loose" the tow lines, and no sooner were these let go—in less than two minutes of the smash—then the scow started to heel, gently at first.

Without attempting to rescue any of their personal belongings within the cabin of the scow, the men scrambled on board the launch, which had put about with all haste and come alongside, and 110 sooner* were they safe than the scow turned turtle, tipping her cargo of ono hundred boxes of stone and the crew's personal effects into the sea. Being constructed of wood, the scow, once relieved of her cargo, floated bottom upwards.

The scow's anchor and chain weTe among the gear tipped to the bottom, and as the chain wrfs attached to the winch it was impossible for the launch to tow the Havoc ashore. As the Havoc was not likely to drag her anchor, the launch came to> the citv and reported the mishap, while the Hikurangi continued her voyage to Whangarei, an examination having proved her undamaged.

Towed Upharbour To-day. j This morning a derrick punt was taken out to the scene of the accident, and the scow's anchor waa raised without very much difficulty. The scow was then taken in tow, and at 1 o'clock was being btouglit slowly un harbour. It is expected that the scow will be righted and later placed c« the slip" for repairs. Built at Auckland in 181)7, the Havoc, a vessel of 70 tons, is owned by the Auckland Harbour. Board. For some months she has b?en engaged in bringing stone from Rangitoto, and her masts have been I unstopped.

Formerly named the France, the Hikurangi is owned by Jas. Smith and Co. She is an iron steamer of 163 tons net and was built at Newycastle in 18H!». Several months a<ro the Hikurnngi collided with the Oisborne Sheenfarmers' smajl 3teamer Tiroa. when the latter vessel was berthed at the King's wharf.