STEAMERS COLLIDE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13862, 27 March 1907, Page 5

STEAMERS COLLIDE.

ACCIDENT INI AUCKLAND HARBOUR,

AX EXCITING INCIDENT,

(Peii United Phess Association.)

AUCKLAND, March 26. An exciting incident occurred in the harbour shortly after 8 o'clock last evening. The Northern Company's clearer Kotomahana, nnvaid bound fiom the Thames, and tho Dcvonpoit feny steamci Kestiel, bound for tho North Slime, collided off (he end of Iho iail«aj whaif. The impact was so sovoio that it was heard fiom the adjoining wharves. For a short while a panic occurred on hoard Iho Kcsticl, which was tallying a huge number of passengers, but a« the \os=eU cleaicd each other tho cilmcr counsclf, of tho master of the Kestrel and (hose passengers who kept, their heads prevailed, and quietness was soon lestored. Both Captain Stephenson, of the Rotomahana, and Captain Scott, of tho Koetrol, when >ecn last night, declined to make any statements, pieferrmij lo do that at the inquiry which will be held by tho Customs authorities.

A passenger by the Kestrel gave the following account of the accident:-'"lhe Kosliel was passing midway between tho ends of the Queen ebect and iho milvraj wharus, when I noticed the Kotomahana coming up. The Kotomahana was then just about off tho lo«er end of the lailway wharf, showing her icd Tight, while (he Kestrel was displaying her gieon. The master of Iho Kes(rcl blew one whistle, and alteicd his couiso lo show Jiis led light. Tho Kotomahana, which was still appicaching, then showed her gieon and red lights, and alteicd hei couiso (o starboard a little, showing her rod light onlv. Tho Rotomahana would then bo about 200 or 250 \,uds awa\. The master of tho Kcstiel, immediately he noticed the Kotomahana alter her toiutc, slopped Jiis vessel, and, Waning thico wiusllcs, gave tho order 'Full speed astern.' The Kotomahana shortly aflciwards it ruck the Kestrel on the port bow, cutting into the woodwoik slightly. It was a nairow escape.' 1

COLLISION BETWEEN A KETCH AND STEAMER. Another collision occuned near the lailway wharf at t o'clock this morning between tho Northern Company's steamer Kamen, inward bound fioni'"V7haiigarci, and the keteh Dawn, bound for Kialco. Captain T. Meyers was in ehaigo of K.inieri, and Captain Kelly in command of tho Dawn. The lrtter had loiindcd the wlnvf when it was perceived that (ho Earneri was coming directly toward* her. Tho captain of the Dawn immediately 10versed engines, and it appeals that Iho skipper did the same. A collision, howevei, could not bo averted, and I lie Kamen stinck the Dawn amidships, making a hole in her c-ido extending from the deck to a littlo below the water line. Fivo planks weie slovo in. and the hole left in the side of the cutler viae about 2ft long. The Kamori's engines wore going astern at (he time of the collision, otheriviso Iho ketch would have been mole vnously damaged A quantity of water found its wav into tho Dawn's hold, and Captain Kelly decided to retain to the wharf, to thai an examination of (he damage could be made. The caigo was shifted, and (ho damaccd p.nt of the vessel being ihus brought out of water, she ceased (o 'leak.