COLLISION IN HARBOUR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 969, 19 March 1924, Page 12

COLLISION IN HARBOUR.

SYDNEY FERRY BOATS.

WOMAN INJURED. SYDNEY, March, 3. A sensational collision between the ferry steamers Kiandra and Kanimbla occurred this afternoon on the harbour, at the entrance to the Quay. A woman was crushed by the battered bulwarks of tho Kiandra, and her right leg badlybruised. The Kanimbla struck the Kiandra near the lore starboard gangway and shattered the bulwarks. Heavydamage was sustained by- the latter vessel, but the Kanimbla escaped with practically no damage. The injured woman was Mrs Hughes, of Cabramatta road, Mosman. The Kiandra left Mosman at 1.18 with a fair number of passengers aboard. When aproaching Benelon Point the master of the Kiandra saw the Manly ferry steamer Baragoola, crowded with participants in the Ancient Mariners’ excursion, including the State Governor (Sir Dudley de Chair), drawing out from Fort Macquarie, and at the same time noticed a vehicular ferryleaving Benelon Point. He then steered the Kiandra towards the centre of the fairway in the direction of Kirribilli.

The vehicular ferry was stopped, but the Baragoola swung round and proceeded up the harbour towards the Parramatta river.

The Baragoola passed ahead of the Kiandra, and the vehicular ferry, passed the Kiandra’s stern and proceeded to Milson’s Point.

After keeping on her course in the centre of the fairway the Kiandra was beginning to swing round and enter the head of the Quay, when the Kanimbla, which came from Neutral Bay, overtook her and crashed into her.

There was a terrific bump, and the startled passengers on the Kiandra jumped to their feet and rushed to the starboard side of the ferry. There was no sign of alarm, although some of the women passengers were naturally shaken and nervous.

Mrs Hughes, with several companions, was sitting on the seat outside the ladies’ cabin. They saw that a collision was inevitable, and were beginning to rush to safety when the impact occurred. At first they thought that the blow would be a glancing one, but the Knuimbla struck the Kiandra at an angle of about 45 degrees. Tho two vessels went ahead sido by side, crunching ono another heavily. “Full speed astern” was signalled to tho engineer of tho Kanimbla, and this vessel gradually dropped behind. Tho Baragoola and tho Kanimbla stood to for a few minutes, and when it was seen that the damage to the Kiandra was above water they proceeded on their way.

The Kiandra went to the Quay and discharged her passengers.