HOLE IN BOWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23601, 9 March 1940, Page 12

HOLE IN BOWS

DOMINION FREIGHTER COLLISION AT SYDNEY ESCAPE OF SEAMEN DAMAGED SHIP BEACHED By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received S, 0 p.m.) SYDNEY, March S A freighter of about 2800 tons, owned by the. Union Steam Ship Company, and engaged in the New Zealand trade, was badly holed in a collision with an 11,000-ton Blue Star liner near the harbour bridge late last night. Tugs attempted to tow the freighter to Darling Harbour, but she had to be beached to prevent her sinking. A large hole was torn in the freighter's bows, penetrating through td the crew's sleeping quarters. The liner was not greatly damaged. Forepeak Flooded The police were told that a seaman on tho freighter was crushed and killed, but later the master said be could account for all the members of his crew. A man named J. Sharz, of Auckland, is missing. Dawn to-day revealed the full damAge caused by the collision. The freighter had her bows shattered, and her forepeak flooded. Her stern was high out of the water and the top of her foremast had snapped off. She was held precariously in position off Goat Island by two tugs. Late this afternoon she was lightened sufficiently to be towed slowly to Walsh Bay. Two members of the crew escaped death by inches, their bunks being wrecked by the impact.

Cargo for New Zealand The Union Company's vessel had loaded 3000 tons of coal and steel at Newcastle and Port Kembla for Now Zealand and was at Sydney to complete her cargo. , So far there has been no explanation of the collision. The Blue Star liner was outward bound and the Union Company's 6teanier was coming up the harbour to her berth. The collision occurred just off No. 1 )Vharf, Walsh Bay, slightly west of the harbour bridge. According to the Auckland office of the Union Steam Ship Company there was no member of the crew of its ship named Sliarz when it left Auckland ior Newcastle, 'Port Kembla and Sydney. The steamer, which was loading at these ports for Wellington, has been a frequent caller at Auckland.