Serious Collision at Fort Chalmers.

Otago Witness, Issue 1583, 25 March 1882, Page 24

Serious Collision at Fort Chalmers.

We regret to report that the steam-tug Koputai was run into on the 16th and cut down to the water's edge by the s.s. Waitaki. It appears the Waitaki was coming in. between the Bowen and George street Piers, between which the Koputai and Plucky were lying; and, proceeding at half-speed ahead, narrowly shaved the Plucky, and struck, the Koputai just abaft the starboard sponson with such force that she cut through her plates as though they were paper. After some little time the Waitaki extricated herself, and the Koputai rapidly became submerged aft. On the Waitaki getting clear, it was discovered that she had also received some slight injuries to her stem, the plates being a little bulged and cut. These were quickly hammered out and pierced, in order that she might be enabled to proceed on her usual trip to Timaru. From several persons who were on the wharf at the time of the occurrence we have received assurances that Captain Hansby, of the Waitaki, is entirely free from blame, as he had the indicator hard down for full speed astern, while the vessel was coming up to the wharves at half-speed ahead. We refrain from giving detailed statements from outside witnesses, as the matter is sub judice, and will result in a most searching investigation by the Union Company, apart from the official inquiry which must take place before the Collector of Customs, Mr Mackworth.

The Koputai is one of the most powerful tug-boats in the Colonies. She is a paddlewheel steamer of 158 tons register : has engines of 150-hdrse power ; is 112 ft 2in long, 20ft in breadth, and, 9ft 6iri in depth. She |ras specially built for, the Otago Towing Company at Whiteinch. Scotland, in 1876, and is a fine specimen of this class of steamer. Two lighters were brought alongside the Koputai yesterday evening, in order that she might be slung and floated between them.