RUNAWAY FERRY ON SYDNEY HARBOUR CRASHES WHARF
(11 a.m.) SYDNEY, Mar. 5. A runaway ferry with about 200 people on board crashed into a wharf last night a few minutes after it had left Circular Quay.
No passengers were injured. One woman fainted from shock. The ferry and wharf were extensively damaged. The police said the engine of the ferry was started up while the master was away from the wheelhouse. They believe that he was unable to rejoin the ferry before it moved off, although he was on the wharf.
The ferry after leaving Circular Quay zigzagged for about a quarter of a mile until it struck a wharf on the western side of Sydney Cove. One passenger who realised what was happening thought the captain had collapsed. He entered the wheelhouse and found no one there. The steering gear was locked. He shouted a warning down the speaking tube to the engineers and switched the telegraph to full speed astern, but it was too late. The ferry struck with a tearing crash of woodwork and the superstructure on one side was wrecked. Passengers were iolted from their seats.
Another ferry was run alongside and the passengers were taken off. The Maritime Services Board will hold an inquiry.
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Bibliographic details
Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22887, 5 March 1949, Page 7
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209RUNAWAY FERRY ON SYDNEY HARBOUR CRASHES WHARF Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22887, 5 March 1949, Page 7
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