ACCIDENT TO S.S. VICTORIA.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10647, 26 April 1906, Page 3

ACCIDENT TO S.S. VICTORIA.

♦- VENTURESOME TRIP IN A BOAT. AN ANXIOUS TIME. SYDNEY, April 16. The New Zealand steamer Victoria put . m an appearance at the Heads at daylight on Saturday. Her approach was ■reported by the lookout at tho South. Head Signal Siation, and quickly allayed any anxiety that may have been felt for the steamer's safety. On reaching the wharf it was found that the delay was due lo the bottom of the high pressure cylinder being knocked out. The Victoria left Auckland on Mondnv last and made splendid running until twenty-live minutes to 7 a.m. on Friday, when tho cylinder bottom collapsed. The accident, of course, brought the steamer to a standstill, and although it was considered possible for the engineers to \ disconnect the disabled cylinder, it was ' at once decided to despatch one of the ship's lifeboats to Sydney to seek assistance. The boat was m charge of Mr Bates, the c\)iei officer, and was manned by the boatswain and four seamen. The boat got away within a quarter of an hour from the time the vessel stopped. Meanwhile, the cliief engineer, Mr H. Bennett, and his staff, set to work to disconnect the broken cylinder, and attempt to compound. the engines. Tliis proved a difficult task, but the engine-room staff did splendid work, ancl by a quarter past 10 p.m. had the engines going again. A trial showed that the vessel could make 9£ to 10 knots under the compoivid engines. Captain Waller immediately put the steamer on her course. She came along under easy steam, and a sharp lookout was kept for the ship's boat, which was sighted burning a, blue light J dead ahead at 2 o'clock on Saturday morning, just as the Macquari© light came into view. The boat was hoisted aboard, and the Victoria reached the Heads four hours later. Tliie passengers speak highly of the 1 pluck displayed by Air Bates and the boat's crew m putting off from tho ship to obtain assistance. Tlie boat had sailed and rowed over 55 miles before being overtaken by the Victoria. Mr Bates, the chief officer, states that after leaving the Victoria a slant of wind enabled him to carry sail until out of sight of the steamer. Then the wind veered to the west, and for 12 hours the crew were at the oara, the boat throughout making splendid weather, At 10 o'clock on Friday night sail was again set, and the boat was slowly making headway towards the port when the Victoria came up under her own steam and picked it up. The boat at the time was within 25 miles of Sydney Heads. On coming alongside the occupants were cheered by the passengers. A survey of the engine-room on arrival showed how serious the damage was, and the engineering staff aro to be complimented on the smart ' engineering featperformed, which enabled the vessel to make port safely.