ACCIDENT TO HER MAJESTY'S SHIP EUPHRATES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5634, 6 December 1879, Page 7

ACCIDENT TO HER MAJESTY'S SHIP EUPHRATES.

Intense exitement prevailed in Portsmouth on tho evening of September 24th, in cjnaequrnee of a rumour that the Euphrates had been capsized as she was being got out of dock. Happily the report was an exiggeialion, for although an accident occurred to the huge trooper, the officials acted with becoming promptitude, and all risk to the ship was aveited. It will be however for the naval authoritC3 to consider whether this occurrence does not point to a danger arising from the syatem of letting the water ballast from the double bottums of ships when docked, and not admitting it agaiu before they are floated It is unquestionably the fact that the bi.* ship was somewhat top heavy, for, while there was no water ballast or coal on board, the provisions for the voyage were being shipped, and there was a considerable quantity of cargo on deck at the Lime of the accident, which occurred thus The water had been let into the dock, aud it had got sullieiently high to lift the ship ; all was going well, when a squall from the suuthwest set in, aud, striking the hull with a tremendous force, took her over to port, a distauce of about fifteen degrcei. Tlic sudden movement naturally caused yriat alarm, as it was feared that she woul 1 strike tlio side of the dock, but there was uo panic, litlier on board the ship or by the dock side, and as the hi el did not iuertase the apprehensions of the officials were Boniewhat relieved. Messages were at once d< snatched to the Commander-in-Cuief aud Chief Constructor, and Admiral Fanshaweand Mr. W. B. Robinson and other officials promptly put in an appearance, acd the orders given were carried out with the utmost speed. Mr. Farrell, the mas.'er rigger, had a guy ailixed to the maiumast to assist in rightiug the vessel, tyid orders were given to let the water into the double bottom, but still the list did rot perceptibly lessen as the trooper was | tloated out of dock; but as the Wright of wat- r increas :d she gradually righted herself, aud was got alongside a jetty contiguous to the It was more than two hours from tiie time the ship was struck by the squall before slrj hail entirely righted herself. It is thought that she has not sustained serious damage of any kind, aud that it will bo uMiL-eessary to re-Jock her, but a careful examination will be made.