STEAMER COLLIDES WITH LAUNCH

Southland Times, Issue 23945, 11 October 1939, Page 3

STEAMER COLLIDES WITH LAUNCH

MISHAP IN HARBOUR AT PICTON

(United Press Association) BLENHEIM, Otcober 10. The Anchor Company’s small coastal steamer Rata, after leaving Picton for Nelson last night, collided in the outer harbour with the 40-foot diesel-engin-ed launch Ramona, which was holed and subsequently sank at the wharf. The collision occurred about three miles from Picton, when the Ramona, owned by Kenny and Story, Picton, was inward bound towing a punt loaded with 25 tons 'of whale oil from the Teawaite whaling station.

Three persons aboard the launch, W. Kenny, C. Tarrant and Nurse N. Charles, were thrown into the water by the impact, but were picked up unharmed by th'e launch Foxton, which was in company with the Ramona. The Rata struck the launch a glancing blow, causing the launch almost to overturn. The punt also heeled over, jettisoning a number of barrels of oil. The Ramona had the punt attached alongside. This prevented her from sinking and the Foxton towed both to port, where the Ramona, upon being let go from the punt, immediately sank. This morning when the launch was raised and beached it was found to be considerably damaged, one side being completely stove in. 'The barrels of oil lost overboard were recovered.