STEAMERS IN COLLISION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 294, 5 September 1908, Page 6

STEAMERS IN COLLISION.

THE PENGUIN AND GERTIE. Early on Wednesday afternoon, in Cook Strait, the steamers Gertie and Penguin, from Westport to Picton,, and Nelson'to Picton respectively, collided near Jacksoitfs Head.' The-'Union' Company's steamer .Penguin for some months has been laid up at Wellington, and only recently re-entered the PictonNelson service. The Gertie, which is sailing under. Levin and Company's flag, trades from Wanganui to Westport, Nelson, and Picton. The collision occurred when both vessels were rounding Jackson's Head on their way to Picton. As the vessels were both proceeding in the same ■ direction ;it is difficult to comprehend how the collision t-ook place. It is alleged that the Gertie rounded Stephen's Island, and steered a course towards the south-east, and that the Penguin was steering east at the time. The. Gertie is supposed to have attempted to cross the_ Penguin's bow as tne vessels approached Jackson's Head, and before the Penguin could get clear or 'the Gertie be stepped the mishap occurred. Neither vessel sustained much damage bv the impact, and resumed.,the voyage to Picton after a short -stoppage. Captains R. J. Stewart and Robert Rodger were in command of the Penguin and Gertie respectively. Mr. Geo. Allport, Secretary of the Marine Department advises that it is probable that a magisterial inquiry into the circumstances will be held, but so far no date for the hearing has been fixed. ; The Penguin left Wellington for Picton and Nelson yesterday at her usual time.