MISHAP TO BENALLA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17782, 16 May 1921, Page 5

MISHAP TO BENALLA.

1100 PASSENGERS ABOARD. PERFECT ORDER OBSERVED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 6.30 0.m.) LONDON. May 13. ■ The vessel with which the P. and O, liner Benalla collided in Pevensey Bay, Sussex, on Thursday was the oil tank steamer Patella. There was a thick fog at the. time. , The Benalla was hit on the port side, abaft the bridge, a hole being torn in her null above and below the wateiiine. The water rose rapidly in her No. 4 hold, and it was decided to beach the vessel. She was accordingly run ashore half an hour after the crash, and is now resting on a sandy bottom a mile from shore. The Benalla had 1100 passengers on board. Perfect order prevailed, and when it was found that there was no immediate danger pianos were brought on deck, and a singsong and dance were held. The passengers were' transferred to tugs and landed at Newhaven, at the mouth of the Ouse, on the Sussex coast. The Benalla does not need assistance, and it is expected that she will be refloated on the next high tide after temporary patching up and pumping out. The Patella, which was bound from Port Said to Rouen, proceeded to Calais. The Commonwealth Immigration Department has taken special steps to arrange accommodation for the Benalla's passengers, who will arrive in London tonight. The contingent of emigrants aboard the vessel comprises 142 men, 116 women, and 177 children.