HARBOUR COLLISION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20708, 4 May 1929, Page 14

HARBOUR COLLISION.

LAUNCH ALERT SUNK! ESCAPE OF THE CREW. (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, May 3. As the result of a collision, with the Northern Steamship Company’s steamer Rangitoto in the hai'hour shortly after 6 o’clock to-night, the launch Alert, which was towing a shingle barge, was sunk. The crew was in no danger, and escaped to the barge before the launch sank. The launch, which was towiiig an empty shingle barge from Freeman’s Bay to Kawau, was moored to the port side of the barge, while the Eangitoto was making for Auckland on her return trip from Coromandel. The Eangitoto struck the launch on the port bow, carrying it away from the barge, which was also carried with the steamer for some distance. But for tlie tow lines .between the barge and the launch the latter. vessel must have sunk immediately. There were two men on the barge and two on the launch when the impact took place, but no one was injured. The. men on the launch were not thrown into the water, and wore able to scramble on to the barge before their own vessel finally ■ sank. The launch went down near where the collision occurred ami the barge was rriooicd to a marked spot, lights being displayed to warn shipping of its position. The Alert, which was owned by Pany Bros., shipping and to win agents, was a vessel 32 feet long, with a beam of nine feet, and was employed principally in towage.work. She was' not insured, and an effort will bo niadc to salvage her.