A BOLTING STEAMER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12817, 17 July 1912, Page 8

A BOLTING STEAMER.

A runaway horse is a sight often enough; -to be witnessed m the streets of a city.. Motor-cars have been known to ; take trips on their own initiative, through- some accident or. through some carelessness on the part of their drivers. But a. bolting ferry boat has a distinct novelty, about it. Such a vessel did actually- run away the other day m Sydney.Harbor. The runaway was a ferryboat wliich was running on the Cremorne service, and had discharged her passengers, at Circular Quay. The master had left her for a few minutes, and- when he returned, to his amazement his boat was going down the harbor with no one at the wheel. Anyone who knows how crowided Sydney Harbor is will realise the possibilities of disaster m such a situation. The hue and cry was- 'instantly raised, and two other boats were hastily despatched after the absconding vessel, the men on board of which were blissfully unconscious that anything was wrong. Whistles were furiously blown and all efforts made by those on th© pursuing steamers to attract thejr, jattent^qn, but still the runaway ploughed her way blindly ahead, yawing th^s way and that, but avoiding all passing craft m a positively miracu? lous way. Luckily at that time of day there was a lull m the traffic ; otherwise her career .would probably have been cut short m a .'sudden and tragic manner. But appther danger 'threatened as the runaway steamer neared Bennelong Point, an awkward turn which it was practically impossible for a boat to make without' guidance: There were only two things /that could happen, unless -those board woke up to the realisation of their peril. She might crash into an incoming boat rounding, the point, or rush straight into the rocks at Kimbilli Point, which loomed ahead. The pursuing boats redoubled their,, effprts and their whisltes screeched frantically m urgent summons. Soon the bolting steamer was observed to be slowing down, and with engines full astern) she slowly swung round, once more under control. A deck-hand had noticed the unusual yawing of the boat, and had' looked m casually at the deckhouse , to enquire what was the cause of it. When he found it empty, he instantly. . realised the position, «nd though uiuierveiij he had the presence of mind to jump' to the engine telegraph and signal "full speed astern." The exact facts whioh caused this singular escapade on the part of the ferry boat are not .quite^ certain. Possibly the master affceri ringing "astern" to berth the vessell had not moved tye, telegraph back to the "stop" position. The fireman, seeing that ikonaatked-'steanv ahead" (the. same position as. ■"astern" on the incoming journey)' land, not noticing the absence of tlie master, informed the engineer, ?.nd the machinery was started. In the face of the natural reticence of all concerned that> is the best explanation that can be given^