HARBOR COLLISION

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11405, 5 January 1931, Page 3

HARBOR COLLISION

SCOW STRIKES. TUG

STEAMER BADLY: DAMAGED

(Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 3

When attempting to sail out from a berth at Queen’s wharf, the auxiliary screw scow Echo collided with the Wellington Harbor Board's tug, Toia. The .scow escaped damage, but the jibboom tore a fairly large hole in the side of the Toia and partiallv wrecked two cabins.

A fresh northerly breeze was blowing when the Echo left her berth at about 4 o’clock, bound to Blenheim. Her master, attempted to take her out under sail. It is stated that one of *the Echo’s twin auxiliary engines was out of action. The ship had swung round under all canvas and was heading out to clear Queen’s wharf. The scow liad cleared the inner tee of that wharf, but apparently was not able to go sufficiently up into the wind to get past the next tee, at the outer end of which the Toia was berthed. The jibboom of the Echo went clean through the side of the Toia under the forecastle head, and; the scow came to a standstill with practically the full length of iibhoom inside the tug. The Echo remained locked in this unfortunate position while lines were run out aft, and with these and the assistance of the engine she hauled clear. Apart from some minor scratches and splinters the jibboom and its fittings were not visibly damaged, although some of the rigging .may. have been strained. The departure of the Echo was delayed until a survey could he made. '

A temporary patch has boon placed over the hole in the Toia, which is some feet above the water line.