COLLISION BETWEEN STEAMERS CAIRLOCH AND HERALD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 6749, 6 May 1885, Page 2

COLLISION BETWEEN STEAMERS CAIRLOCH AND HERALD.

■ The following are fuller particulars of tho collision of the steamers Gairloch and Herald in the Manukau on Sunday last. The Star says : About 1 a.m. on Sunday, the Herald, in charge of Captain Savory, left the Onehunga wharf, bound for Gre}inouth in ballast. After she had gone about four niiles she met the Gaijlocb; in charge of Captain McArthur, inward bound, with cargo and passengers from Waitara. There is some doubt as to which vessel was in the right, but through somo misunderstanding or negligence they collided very heavily. Tho Herald came bow 'on to the Gairloch and struck her severely on the _ starboard bow, cutting her down from her rail to within a few inches of the water. The forecastle head was lifted bodily, the deck beams were all smashed, and the hull thrust all out of shape from the mainmast forward. So far as could be seen from the Gairloch the Herald escaped with little or no injury, and after getting clear she continued her voyage. The Gairloch came on to Onehunga, which was reached safely, and is now laid up for repairs. It is estimated that £1000 will be required to place her in seagoing order again. Particulars of the mishap from a Gairloch point of view are that Captain McArthur saw the lights of the Herald before the collision and saw that she was making a course direct for his'steamer. Ho says that he was on the right side of the channel, but seeing the dangerous proximity of tho Herald he stopped the Gairloch and gave orders for the engines to go astern. This, however, did not avoid the collision, which took place as already recorded. An inquiry into the mishap will be held upon return of the Herald from Greymoutb, when more information will doubtless be forthcoming respecting its cause. The -Auckland Herald says : — "The s.s. Hnrald, which was in collision with the s.s. Qairloch on Sunday morning last in the Manukau harbour, and afterwards proceeded on her passage for Greymouth, returned to Onehunga on Monday, Captain Savory being compelled to run back for I shelter, the weather being exceedingly dirty outside. The Gairloch is to be brought round to this harbour to effect the necessary repairs, and tho Herald is also expected to come round to Auckland from the Grey with her next cargo of coal. A preliminary inquiry was to have been held on Tuesday before Mr. Hill, the Collector of Customs, into the circumstances attending the casualty.