STEAMER FOULS A BRIDGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18295, 12 July 1921, Page 5

STEAMER FOULS A BRIDGE

CONSIDERABLE I? A MAGE DONE (Pee Unitei)/phess Association.) WANGANUI, July 11. The steamer Huia, from Woffington, had an exciting experience last night, colliding with the town bridge. The berth at the top end of the wharf assigned to the vessel is not a great distance from the bridge The vessel was approaching nor berth when, it is stated, the engines jambed on the centre, rendering the vessel powerless. Continuing on her way, the Huia cut between the Togo and the Mascotte, the Harbour Board tugs, lying abreast at the top end of the wharf, without damaging either, and crashed bow on into the bridge. Her foremast was snapped about a foot from tho deck. The wheelhousc, where Captain Campbell and a seaman were stationed, just cleared tho bridge, but tho compass binnacle on the top house was cut out flush- with the roof, and the funnel bent to a considerable angle. The vessel’s progress was then etonpod, the bow resting on a pontoon the other side of the bridge. By strenuous efforts the steamer was extricated from her unenviable position and moored safely at the wharf. . One of the drifting launches, the Togo, was made fast just in time to prevent its colliding with the bridge, while the other went ashore on tho opposite side of the river, but was easily refloated.