THE COLLISION IN OTAGO HARBOR.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 776, 14 January 1887, Page 12

THE COLLISION IN OTAGO HARBOR.

(united press association.) Dunedin, January 6. A preliminary inquiry was held by the Collector of Customs into the ciroumstances of the collision between the Omapere and the dredge, but it was not open to the Press. The dredge still lies on the bank, but as the weather is fine it is jexpected that she will be got off. A [gale of wind, however, would probably lead to her back being broken, as the place she is resting on is only a bank of sand. „ Dunedin, January 7. The position of the big dredge is unaltered, and it is probable that she will be afloat in a few days. The damage done is about the chain locker on the port side, clear of the massive machinery and close to the water* tight compartment: The Union Company are inviting tenders for repairs to the Omapere.

Dunedin, January 11. A nautical inquiry into the collision between the Omapere and the Harbor Board’s dredge was commenced to*day, before Mr Carew, R.M., and Rear-Admiral Scott and Captain Orkney, Nautical Assessors. Captain Smith, of the Omapere, in his evidence stated that he thought the dredge was about to pass close to Goat Island, and that gave him no chance of keeping the Omapere on the right side of the channel. He set the engines going full speed astern. Had the dredge kept straight on her course she was shaping there would .have been no collision. Captain Stewart, of the dredge, in bis evi* dence blamed the Omapere for the collision. The inquiry is not concluded.