LOCK GATES GIVE WAY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 563, 19 July 1909, Page 7

LOCK GATES GIVE WAY.

, A FURIOUS WAVE. BIG VESSELS SWEPT ALONG LIKE STRAWS. (By Teleeraph-Prcas Association -Oopyrieht) j Sydnoy, July 17. Admiral Sir Harry Raw son, the lato Governor of Now South Wales, had a sensational experience in Canada nhile on his trip Home. The ox-Governor was travelling in tho Canadian Pacific Railway Company's steamer Assiniboia, plying on the Great Lakes, n vossel of nearly 4000 tons. She was wait ing in a lock with tho water at the same level as Lake Superior, and the lower gates of this lock opened into a channel the water of which was at a level of 18 feet lower.

A steamer which was manoeuvring at the upper gates crashed into them. Tho gates gave way, and a wave swept down the lock with a frightful rush, and with all tho force of the waters of Lake Superior behind it. Tho Assiniboia was (carried (like a, straw through tho lock, snapping the mooring lines liko threads. The wholo affair lasted a couple of minutes, and the Assiniboia and several Other steamers grounded somo distance down the channel below the lock. Spectators said that as tile Assiniboia shot down the cataract that poured out of the lock, her bow pitched down tho incline of water till the stern was so high that the propeller was clean out of water. Then she struck the level waters below, and the rush of the current swayed her over right on her beam ends, so that she took' in wator through the gangway. Sir Harry Rawson,' interviewed after' the affair, said tho water came down with a magnificent rush. It was a pretty sight, but there was no panic. A couple of ladies fainted, "but they/ always do that, you know," added tho Admiral.