LORRY CAPSIZES ON FERRY

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 June 1937, Page 13

LORRY CAPSIZES ON FERRY

AUCKLAND HARBOUR MISHAP. [pee press association.] AUCKLAND, June 22. Heavy seas in the Waitemata Harbour this evening caused the capsize of a large transport lorry, fully laden, which was crossing from Auckland to Devonport on a vehicular ferry boat. The reinforced bulwarks of the vessel prevented the lorry from toppling into the harbour, and the heavy vehicle came to rest on the deck lying on its left-hand side.

The lorry,'which was a six-wheeled trailer type, is owned by Northern Transport, Ltd. Just after the ferry boat had cleared the end of the eastern tide deflector, she encountered the full force of the seas, which were being swept down the harbour by a strong north-easterly wind. Suddenly the lorry began to lurch amazingly, and at the first sign of danger the driver jumped cleai. After one or two more ominous lurches the heavy vehicle suddenly toppled over and came to rest against the port bulwarks. Its cargo was covered with tarpaulins and securely lashed, and thus remained intact.

As the lorry crashed down on to the deck its petrol tank burst open. One of the ferry boat’s hands dashed forward with a fire extinguisher in case of emergency, but almost immediately a wave broke over the deck and washed the flood of petrol away. In addition to the lorry, several other vehicles were on board the ferry boat. However, there was sufficient clear space in the bows to enable the cars to be driven ashore at Devonport. Later a breakdown truck was brought on board the ferry at the Auckland landing but the lorry, still reclining on. its side, had to be unloaded before any attempt could be made to right it.