DAMAGE TO ZITA.

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 53, 4 March 1922, Page 4

DAMAGE TO ZITA.

The auxiliary schooner Zita, which collided with the ferry steamer Maori la6t Sunday morning, put back "to Lyttelton on Tuesday evening. To a Press representative Captain Johansen stated that he had proceeded as far as the Clarence River when continued adverse winds, accompanied by heavy seas, compelled him to turn back. The absence of sufficient head sails owing to the smashing of the jibboom, prevented the vessel from beating. If we had had nnything like a favourable wind," said the skipper, "we would have made Wei-, llngton all right. In fact, even after wo reached Lyttelton Heads, if a southerly hod aprung up, we would have turned round and run for Wellington." In regard to the collision, Captain Johansen declined to make any statement, in view of a probable enquiry. The mate, Mr. C. Williamson, was on watch at the time. A big sea was running, with practically no wind, and the schooner was making little or no way and rolling heavily. The Maori struck the Zita on the port bow, smashed the jib-boom* and the bow above deck, then, spinning the Zita round, smashed the starboard bow. An examination of the schooner discloses that the damage Is much more extensive than at first reported. The jib-boom, of hardwood, about 15in indiameter, was broken clean through in two places, the pieces are now lying on the deck. Tho port bow above the deck is smashed in for a distance of 30ft, and a small deckhouse shattered. The starboard bow is stove in for abont 12ft, some of ft being missing altogether. Running gear and stays to the jib- j boom were, of course, carried away also. Below the ship is quite sound.