FATAL MARINE COLLISION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2818, 18 March 1908, Page 38

FATAL MARINE COLLISION.

A SCOW OUT DOWN. ONE MAN" DROWNED. (From Oub Own Correspondent ) AUCKLAND, March 11. When the scow Moonah, inward-bound with coal from Ngxmguru, and owned by tho Northern Coal Company, passed North Head at 10 p.m., and was running up the fairway before a steady north-easterly breeze, with the maze of shore lights in front of her, suddenly from out of the background of lights there came the red and green of the Wairuna's lights, the vessel coming directly down on the scow, and the steel bow crashing forward and down into the wooden hull, cutting the scow almost in half and sinking her in two or three minutes. The scow had been observed from the deck of the steamer before the collision occurred, and the order "Full epeed astern " was given, but the vessels were then so close together that a collision was inevitable, and before the screw could even check^the way of the steamer she had rammed the little craft, which, heavily laden with coal, sank like a stone. The force of the impact may be judged from the fact that one of the hands, who was aloft stowing the gaff topsail, was hurled from the topmast right on to the deck of the steamer as the smaller craft lurched over under the impulse of the blow. Naturally such a happening injured the man somewhat, but he escaped fairly well considering ita nature. The rest of the crew of five were all on 'deck — the hands forward and the captain at the wheel. The scow was driven bodily broadside on, and the rush of the rudder through the water caused it to race over in the opposite direction, and the wheel revolving rapidly struck the captain with such force as to break his left leg in two places. The rest v of the men were forwaid when the vewel was sailing up the harbour, but when the collision became inevitable they rushed aft, and when the vessel sank all were left struggling in the water. The Wairuna'e boats were ordered out, and promptly they were swung out and went ! to the rescue of the crew of the ill-fated scow. They were quickly found and put aboard, but of the fourth man no trace could be seen. The boats cruised about over the spot until there was no hope of the man being afloat, and then reluctantly they returned to the steamer. The missing man's name was Fred Smith, while by hie mates he was known as Tokerau Fred, from the name of a craft he formerly sailed in. It is supposed that he went down with the scow, and so far no trace of the body has been found. He- was a single man, and lived in a boarding-house in Hobson street. When the men were picked up it was found that Captain Silva was suffering severely, for in addition to his fractured leg he had lost a lot of blood from the wound caused by the spoke of the wheel and he was in a weak state ; while of the crew vo. A-B. named Sterling, who had

been thrown from sailer to steamer, was suffering a good deal from injuries to his back. Tho other two men were all right, save from the effects of the sudden immersion. All were attended to on the Wairuna, first aid being rendered to the injured and dry clothes and bedding being 1 supplied. Then the Wairuna headed back up the harbour, and the men were landed at the man-o'-war steps, Quay street, by Captain Robinson, master of the Wairuna, and his second officer. Dr Parkes was sent for, and after examining the injured men ordered their removal to the ha^ital, whither they were sent in the ambulance. They are both progressing favourably. After ascertaining that his vessel was undamaged Captain Robinson put her on her course again and resumed the voyage to Newcastle. The wreck was inspected this morning, and that she was nearly cut in two was evident from the fact that several pieces of the deck had come adrift and were floating about, while the foretopmast was smashed off short and the mizzen broken off at the deck line, and was floating butt upwards, with the top in the mud, the depth where the collision occurred being about sevpn fathoms. March 13. The wreck of the Moonah was examined by a diver to-day, and it was found that she had a big gash about 10ft wide near the stern. The diver is placing slins?s round the hull preparatory to raising her. No 6ign of the body of the missing seaman Smith has yet been found.