COIMBATORE COLLISION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13086, 27 January 1906, Page 5

COIMBATORE COLLISION.

LOG OF THE ZANITA.

THE SAILOR'S STORY.

The secretary of the Marine Board on Wednesday last received from Captain F. W. Macdonald, master of the Zanita (says an Adelaide correspondent), an extract from his official log with regard to the collision which occurred between his vessel and the Norwegian barque Coimbatore, on the high seas on December 25.

The extract states that the mishap occurred in lat. 25.50 S., long. 111.15 E., and at two a.m., Cape Leeir.vin bearing E.N.E. true, distant -about 207 miles. The weather at the time was dull and cloudy, with rain showers, a moderate unsteady wind from S. by E. to 8.5. E., and a high southerly swell. The ship was steering E. by S. true, when possible. The mate (C. D. Watson) was on deck, W. Dennis, A.8., on the lookout, and H. Eastwood at the wheel.

A bright light was suddenly seen about two points on the starboard bow, distant about 200 yards. Then the boom of a vessel was seen standing across the Zanita's bow. Seeing a collision would take place Captain Macdonald was immediately called by the mate, and all hands were ordered on deck. The helm was put hard a-port, and the lee braces were let go to stop the way of the vessel, but the bowsprit went between the other ship's fore rigging, bringing down his top-gallant mast and yard, etc. The Zanita's bowsprit bent at right angles at the inner bobstay band, and carried away the guys, stays, catheads, and strained other gear, besides tearing the fore upper topsail and jibs*.

The vessels drifted clear and the Zanita's lifeboat was swung out. The topgallant sails and mainsail were clewed up, and the ship hauled close to the wind. At a-quar-ter to three they wore the ship to westward, and at about ten minutes past three sighted to leeward a boat which in the dark appeared to be bottom up, with two men on it. Another boat was also seen on the weather quarter, making to rescue them. At a-quarter past three the ship was wore to the eastward, but neither boat was seen again. Captain Macdonald kept working the ship to maintain the position, but with a. freshening and unsteady wind with thick rain, the ship and boats were lost to view. The Zanita stood to leeward at the rate of about one and a-half knot per hour. The weather cleared about eight a.m., and became line, with, a distant haze on the horizon, and although she kept about the position all day and night no sign of the other ship was seen.

While the vessels were locked one of the hands from the strange ship jumped on board. He gave his name as Close Olsen, 0.5., and stated that he was on the lookout on board the barque Coimbatore, 1102 tons, 15 hands all told, from Newcastle (N.S.W.), to Port Elizabeth, South Africa, with a cargo of coal, about fire weeks out. Olsen also stated that the Coimbatore was on the port tack going free, and that he reported the Zanita's starboard light seven or eight minutes before the collision ; that the helm was put up, and the ship kept iiwav before the wind across the Zanita's bow. When the Coimbatore was alongside her yards were braced on the port tack. Captain Macdonald does not think that the Coimbatore sank, as his vessel's way was stopped, and the impact, through the Zanita's bowsprit catching the Goimbatore's rigging, was very easy.