BOATS COLLIDE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23358, 29 May 1939, Page 8

BOATS COLLIDE

VEHICULAR FERRY SAND BARGE STRUCK BOTH CRAFT DAMAGED CAR SCREENS BROKEN A collision between the vehicular ferry-boat Eaglehawk and tho barge Combine, which was being towed by tho launch Mona's Tsle 11., occurred in tho Auckland Harbour off tho eastern tide deflector about 9.15 o'clock last night. Tho windscreens of several motor-cars on tho ferry were shattered by flying pieces of wood from the broken bulwarks of the barge. Four men on tho barge, which was damaged on tho port bow, were thrown off their feet. The bowsprit of the barge was smashed and tho bulwarks stovo in, and the bow rudder of tho, ferry was put out of commission. Although several people were shaken, nobody Avas injured. Trips Continued

Tho Eaglchawk had left the Mechanics' Bay ferry landing for Devonport with about a dozen cars on board. The barge was being towed to Auckland from Kopu, on the Thames | coast, with a load of sand. Tho accident occurred outside , the tide deflector. It attracted attention on shore, but it was soon apparent that tho mishap was not a major one, as °both craft continued on their respective trips after a comparatively brief delay. On arrival at Devonport, the fcrr^, com tnanded by Captain C. Windsor, berthed as usual to land the motor-cars she was carrying. On leaving to return to the city ferry quay, "where she was tied up pending a detailed inspection lof tho damage, the Eaglehawk was j obliged to make a turn off the Devonport wharf, to enable the sound rudder to be used. Another Ferry Substituted With tho launch, of which Captain A. Cole is master, alongside, the barge continued to Winstone's Wharf in Freeman's Bay. She had a slight list to port, but it had not been ascertained last night whether or not she had been holed or the timbers sufficiently strained to cause a leak. The barge is owned by Winstone, Limited. The launch was chartered by the same firm. A delay in tho vehicular service between Auckland and Devonport was caused by the mishap to the Eaglehawk and her subsequent temporary withdrawal. Captain Windsor and his crew were transferred to another vehicular ferry, which was commissioned to assist the ferry-boat Korea in the service.