STEAMER STRIKES BRIDGE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 246, 12 July 1921, Page 4

STEAMER STRIKES BRIDGE

HUIA CAUSES EXCITEMENT AT AVANGANUI. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wanganui, July 11. The steamer Huia, from Wellington, had an exciting experience last evening, colliding with the town bridge. A berth at the top end of the wharf was assigned to the vwssel. It is not a great distance from the bridge. Tho vessel was approaching tho berth, when, it is stated, the engines jammed on tho dead centre, rendering the vessel powerless. Continuing her onward way, the Huia cut between the Togo and the Mnscotte, the Harbour Board launches, which were lying abreast at the top end of the wharf, without damaging either, and crashed bow on into the bridge. The foremast snapped about a foot from the deck. The wheelhouse, where Captain Campbell and a seaman were stationed, just cleared the bridge, but the compass and binnacle on top of the house were cut out flush with the room. The funnel was bent to a considerable angle, and stopped the vessel’s progress, the bow resting on a pontoon on the other side of the bridge. By strenuous efforts the steamer was extricated from her position, and moored safely at the wharf. One of the drifting launches, tho Togo, was made fast just in time to prevent it colliding with the bridge. The other wont ashore on the opposite side of the river. She wns easily refloated.