COLLISION AT SEA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22197, 26 August 1935, Page 12

COLLISION AT SEA

LOSS OF FISHING LAUNCH FORMAL INQUIRY PROBABLE [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON. Sunday The Minister of Marine, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, stated yesterday that probably in addition to the preliminary inquiry already held there would be a formal inquiry under the Shipping and Seamen Act before a magistrate and two assessors into the circumstances of the collision between the motor-ship Breeze an-l the fishing launch Bessie nines miles south of Timaru early on the mornin;? of August 16. Three Timaru fishermen, Messrs. A. Bell, It Lattimer and N. P. Bracefield, had a miraculous escape from injury or drowning when the fishing launch Bessie, of which they formed the crew, was struck and sunk by the Canterbury Steamship Company's motor-vessel Breeze a few miles off tho coast on August 16. Through what is thought to have been a misunderstanding between the two vessels the Bessie came directly across the bow of the Bret ;e, which was travelling at a speed of 104 knots, and was struck a terrific blow slightly astern of midships. Tho 'atineh sank immediately and tho members of its crew were picked up by the Breeze and taken to Timaru.