AUSTRALIAN CRUISER DAMAGED

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 173, 19 April 1937, Page 10

AUSTRALIAN CRUISER DAMAGED

Collision at Wharf H.M.A.S. SYDNEY RETURNS HOME FOR REPAIRS Bv Telegraph—Pri** Association. Auckland, April 18. The cruiser Sydney was damaged when she was hit by the naval oil tanker Nucnal as (he latter came alongside early on Friday evening to fuel the cruiser. The Nucnal, after feeding the Stuart. Vendetta. and Swan in the stream, approached the Sydney as she turned in the stream off the end of the AVestern Wharf, to which the cruiser was tied. The tanker was caught by a heavy rip tide and before she could be brought under control she crashed into tlie port side of the Sydney toward the stern. The crash, coinciding with tlie splintering of the aft gangway, caused excitement on board the cruiser. The watch on duty was brought rapidly into action, but it was found that the damage was not immediately serious. The Nucual was undamaged, and was able to resume her operations. The broken gangway belonged to tlie Auckland Harbour Board, and had to be replaced. Yesterday morning engineer officers of the fleet visited the Sydney, and divers sent down from the ship’s boats ascertained that a certain amount of damage had been caused to the two forward propellers. As a result of the damage the Sydney had to leave Auckland on her return to Sydney. A new propeller will have to be fitted and tlie tailshaft of another propeller straightened. As this can lie done witli the minimum of inconvenience at Sydney, it was considered advisable for tlie cruiser to go. The force of the collision was such that two blades on the cruiser’s outer port propeller were broken off. The Sydney was rammed heavily against tlie piles of the wharf air,l her outer starboard propeller tailshaft was badly bent. As only two of her four propellers will be working, the Sydney will have to travel at reduced speed. She is expected to reach Sydney on Thursday morning.

Six officers and 27 ratings of the Sydney on leave will be drafted to other ships.