HARBOUR COLLISION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 103, 4 May 1931, Page 8

HARBOUR COLLISION.

FERRY AND MULLET BOAT. NO SERIOUS DAMAGE. MISHAP IN SEMI-DARKNESS. A collision; between a vehicular ferry steamer and a mullet boat occurred in the harbour early last evening. No serious damage was done.

The ferry concerne was the Eaglehawk, which left Auckland for Devonport at 5.40. It was nearly dark at that time, and the accident occurred when the ferry was almost opposite the cable steamer Iris, moored at Devonport. When the yacht, whicii carried the number L 23, was seen, warning whistles were blown, and the engine slowed down, but it was then too late to avoid a collision.

There was a fairly heavy impact, and passengers sitting in the motor cars on board jumped on to the deck and rushed to the side to see what tile trouble was. One or two women screamed, but they were soon pacified when it was learnt that the collision was not a serious one.

The overhanging: bow of the ferry struck the rigging and gear of the smaller boat, but the yacht was not overturned, and it passed along the starboard side of the ferry. The dinghy that the yacht was towing was wrenched adrift and swamped. .

Immediately following the collision the ferry went astern, and stood by with lifeboat and lifebelts in readiness in case of emergency. It was seen,, however, that the crew of the yacht were uninjured, and that they had recovered their dinghy. When a launch came out to render any assistance that was necessary the ferry resumed her trip. It was reported to the harbourmaster this afternoon that the yacht concerned in the. collision was the Malua.