Collision at Sea

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XV, Issue 213, 8 December 1925, Page 5

Collision at Sea

Mishap Near Sydney BOTH VESSELS SERIOUSLY DAMAGED. SEAMAN LOST OVERBOARD. [By Cable—Preaa Association—Copyright.] (Received 8, 10.55 a.m.) Sydney, Dec. 8. The passenger steamer Suva, 2229 tons, and the cargo carrier Chillagoe, 1495 tons, collided four miles off Sydney Heads. Both vessels were seriously damaged. One member of the Suva’s crew was lost overboard, and though lighted buoys were launched no trace of him was found. Tho Chillagoe was beached in the harbour, and thc Suva, which was bound for Melbourne with a full passenger list, was compelled to return with badly smashed bows . The cause of the collision is a mystery, as the vessels, which were sighted from the signal station, appeared to have plenty of sea room. When the crash occurred most of the crew of the Chillagoe were below, and only eight feet away from where the bows of. the Suva tore a gaping hole m the side below the water line. Water poured in and the boats were launched, but an examination showed that thc damage was not serious enough to warrant abandoning the ship. The first indication of the collision was received at the signal station from the Suva, which signalled that she had been in collision with the Chillagoe. The Suva then stood by and the men were ordered to the boat stations. It was while swinging out one of the boats that Seaman William Doyle, of Sydney, fell from the boat.

THE CHILLAGOE’S POSITION. (Received 8, 11.15 a.m.) * Sydney, Dec 8. The Chillagoe was beached on a steep sand bank, and it is necessary to keep the propellers working to prevent the steamer slipping back into deep water. When Seaman Doyle fell from the Suva’s outswung boat his cries could be heard in the darkness, but a search was unavailing.