LAUNCH SUNK

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 186, 4 May 1929, Page 11

LAUNCH SUNK

COLLISION WITH STEAMER Dominion Special Service. Auckland, May 3. As a result of a collision with the Northern Steamship Company’s steamer Rangitoto in the harbour shortly after six o’clock to-night, the launch Alert, which was towing a shingle barge, was sunk. The crew was in no danger and escaped to a barge before the launch sank. The launch, which was towing an empty shingle barge from Freeman’s Bay to Kawau, was moored to the port side of the barge, while the Rangitoto was returning to Auckland on the return trip from Coromandel. The Rangitoto struck the launch on the port bow, carrying it away from the barge, which was also carried with the steamer for some distance. But for towlines between the barge and the launch the latter vessel must have sunk immediately. There were two men on the barge and two on the launch when the impact took place, but no one was injured. The men on the launch were not thrown into the water and were able to scramble on to the barge before their own vessel finally sank. The launch went down near where the collision occurred and the barge was moored to mark the spot, lights being displayed to warn shipping of its position. . The Alert, which was owned by Parrv Brothers, shipping and towing agents, was a vessel 32 feet long with a beam of nine feet, and was employed principally in towage work. She was not insured, and an effort will be made to salvage her.