STEAMERS IN COLLISION.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13744, 5 September 1908, Page 5

STEAMERS IN COLLISION.

EXCURSION BOAT BADLY DAMAGED. PASSENGERS ALL SAFE. (Received Sept. 5, 10.5 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Sept. 5. A collision occurred in the narbour between the excuftuon steamer Leura, which was making an excursion round the 'fleet, and the American collier Ajax,. outward . bound. There were over a hundred passengers on board the Leura. The collier cut. deep into the Leura's starboard quarter, making a hole 70 feet square extending from the deck to below the water-line. The vessels hung together until the passengers of the Leura had clambered aboard the Ajax or been transferred to a tug manned by men from the battleship Connecticut, who came to give assistance; The Leura's bulkheads remained-in-ta^t, and prevented, the vessel from sinking. She returned to port. The Ajax's bow was badly battered, and several plates were wrenched out of position. She was put into dock. When the collision occurred thero was a momentary panic among the Leura's passengers. 'One or two women fainted.