CHANNEL COLLISION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17945, 24 November 1932, Page 3

CHANNEL COLLISION

NORWEGIAN VESSEL SUNK PASSENGERS AND CREW SAFE MIDNIGHT COLLISION DOVER, Oct. 9. Tho Norwegian motor vessel Chiirentc, of 1327 tons, sank in the English Channel early this morning after being in collision with the ’Afrit*. Star, of the Blue Star Line, outward bound for Buenos Aires. The crew of the 'Charenfe, together with three passengers, a man, 'woman, and baby, were taken on hoard the Afric Star within a few minutes of the crash, and tho crew later were transferred to the tug Lady Brnssey and landed at Dover. An attempt was made to tow the Norwegian ship into port, but. the tow had been in progress only a quarter of an hour when the Charonte, which had'boon holed almost amidships, went down in deep water, approximately seven miles east of Dungenees. Three members of the crew of the (Lady Brassoy had to be hurriedly rescued by the sister tug, Lady Diincannon, from the Cliarente when it was seen that the vessel could not 'be kept afloat. The collision occurred about an hour after midnight, a'nd no explanation of (he cause is yet. available. Following high winds yesterday morning the sen had moderated, and not more than a heavy swell was running by night. Drama carno swiftly and. practically without warning. The bow of the Afric Star, which has a gross tonnage of 11,87(5, smashed into the side of tlie smaller vessel, tearing a great girp in her plates. It was at once, realised that the Cliarente was in imminent peril, and immediate measures wore taken to remove fhose on (board to the (Blue Star steamer. The Afric Star kept, her bow locked in the damaged ship while the passengers and the officers ami men were brought to safety. The collision had put the lighting equipment of the 'Cliarente out. of action, and the rescue work had to be carried on with light thrown from the Africa Star. A Norwegian sailor brought the child out of the dooined ship.

LIFEBOAT LAUNCHED Shortly after the disaster happened wiroless messages from the Afric Stalled to the launching of the Hythe lifeboat and the departure from Dover harbor of the two tugs. Pending their arrival the Afric Star stood by ithe Charente. When the Lady Brassey had located the scene of the collision and coino alongside, the Norwegian crew were transferred to her so that -they, could assist in the possible salvage of their ship. A tow line was established between the tug and the Charente, but the effort failed, and the line had to be •cut as the Charente sank. It was at first considered desirable that the Afric Star should put into Dover for examination, but eventually she proceeded to London and book with her the Charente’s passengers, who arc stated to be a Spiyiiard, Sen,or Orbea, with his wife and infant, daughter. Most of the members of the crew of the iCharonte landed at Dover were very scantily dressed. "Those who were below at the time of the collision rushed to the deck in such garments as they were wearing and found the position to lie too serious to allow them to collect their kit. The officers proceeded to an hotel near the harbor, while the men were cared for at the Sailors’ Home. The Charente was making a return passage from Bordeaux to Oslo, and the three Spanish passengers joined her at the French port. The Hythe lifeboat was recalled when it bceainc known that the crew of the 'Oharento had been saved.