COLLISION WITH WANGANELLA

Southland Times, Issue 23437, 18 February 1938, Page 5

COLLISION WITH WANGANELLA

MASTER OF TRAWLER BLAMED INEFFICIENT LOOK-OUT ALLEGED (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received February 17, 8.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 17. A Marine Court found that the collision between the liner Wanganella and the trawler Durraween on December 28 was brought about by an inefficient look-out on the Durraween, the master of which was guilty of careless navigation in altering his course immediately before the collision. When the inquiry opened yesterday Arthur Noe}, third officer of the Waiiganella, who was in charge at the time of the collision (1.40 a.m.) said he saw a green light straight ahead and some minutes later, thinking the two vessels would pass rather close, he altered the Wanganella’s course half a point. When the Durraween was about 400 yards off, said Noel, he observed her red port light, indicating that she had changed her course. Seeing that a collision was inevitable, he altered the Wanganella’s course in order to make a glancing blow, but actually the trawler struck the Wanganella at right angles. The night was cloudy. Samuel Mills, master of the Durraween, who was on the bridge, said he did not see the Wanganella’s lights until four or five minutes before the collision, a mile or more off. He then saw her starboard lights on his port bow. He altered his course one point to starboard. There was a thin mist, otherwise he would have seen the Wanganella sooner. , . There was no doubt in his mind, said Mills, that the Wanganella, under sea regulations, should, have got out of his way, as she was coming on his port how. When the Wanganella collided with the Durraween on December 28 she was struck a glancing blow on 'the starboard side immediately below the forward funnel. Two strakes above the water-line and two below were severed and nine plates dented and buckled. The water entered between the damaged plates but the pumps were able to cope with it. Temporary repairs were made by the chief engineer (Mr H. Wylie), who was lowered over the side and bolted two plates along the upper damaged strake. The Wanganella stood by the Durraween for some time and then altered her course back to Sydney, more than 180 miles away. The collision occurred off Montague Island at about 1.40 a.m., when visibility was normal, although some of the passengers assert that it was misty. The force of the impact hurled six stewards from their bunks Immediately abaft the point of the collision. A number of passengers hurried on deck to ascertain the cause of the bump and were immediately assured that there was no danger, but it was some time before the excitement died down and quite a number preferred not to return to their bunks.

Fortunately there was a relatively calm sea and it was a warm night: thus no discomfort was experienced by the passengers. Mr T. W. Parker, manager of Huddart Parker, said that he regarded the damage to the Wanganella as negligible and there was never at any time cause for anxiety. The Durraween berthed at Sydney at night. Her bow was buckled and twisted for about six feet. Two members of the crew were injured when they were thrown violently against parts of the ship when the collision occurred. They were treated by a doctor on their return to port. Most of the other members of the crew were asleep at the time of the accident and were flung from their bunks.