A VESSEL CAPSIZED IN DOCK.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7377, 21 May 1887, Page 4

A VESSEL CAPSIZED IN DOCK.

The first accident in connection with the graving dock at Lyltelton happened 00 j Monday. The result is that the iron barque Conference, which was in clock undergoing repaiis, now lies on her beam ends, with part of her bil^e resting onlhe blocks. To obtain correct partioul»ra is a difficult task, as there are several storieß. The most feosible is as follows : — The Conference is ba'lasted by water carried in a large tank amidship, aad of her entire breadth. When the settled down on the rocks the water had, of course, to be let out. An accident occurred to the \ steamer Oroapere at Oamaru which necessitated her being placed in dock at Lyttelton for repairs. To this end water was being let into the dock, and the tag Lyttelton was got alongside the caisson for the purpose of purtpin? water into the Conference. By the time' Bhe was afloat the tug had, so Baysteport, pumped sufficient water into the barque to reach within 12 or 18 inches' from the top. This, however, was found to be insufficient to keep the vessel up- ■ right, for immediately she left the blocks she gradually turned over in the position stated. Another acccount is -that the cement- had been taken away from between the side of the vessel and the tank while the repairs were being carried out on Saturday, and had not been replaced, consequently when thn.vspael left the blocks, retaining^ the" slight lißt she had to the port side before being docked, the, water from the tank wob allowed to escape, and run into the hold of the vessel. Captain Tickhuret, of the Underwriters' Association, immediately the vessel turned over took precaution to ' order the yards, topmast, and gear off the vessel. The Conference iB owned by- the Hon. J. Peacock, of Chriatchurch. The courße to be taken to put tho yepßel,.in a ,proper;position again is "not yet decided-, xhe affair will probably, fonfa . a matter for enquiry on rather an extensive scale.