SENSATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13958, 19 July 1909, Page 5

SENSATIONAL EXPERIENCE

COLLISION AT LAKE SUPERIOR.

Press Association-By Telegraph-Copyright SYDNEY, July 17.

Sir Harry Ra\vson. ox-Governor of Now South Wales, hud a sensational experience on the trip Homo. Ho was travelling in the Canadian Pacific Company's steamer Assiniboia, plying on the great lakes. The vessel is of nearly 4000 tons, and she was waiting in the lock with the water at the same level as Lako Superior, and 18in above the level of the channel below at the lower gates of the lock. A steamer was manoeuvring outside the lower gates, and crashed into them. With a frightful rush, and with the force of the waters of Lake Superior behind her, the Assiniboia' was carried like a straw through the lock, snapping the mooring lines like a thread. The whole affair lasted only a couplo of minutes.

The Assiniboia and several other steamers grounded some distance down. The spectators said that'as the Assirnboia shot down the cataract that poured out of the lock her bow pitched dowa the incline of water till her stern was so high that her propeller was clean out of the water. Then she strueK the level below, and the rush of tho current- swayed her over right on io her beam ends, so that she in water through the gangway. Sir Harry Rawson, on being interviewed, said that the water came down with a magnificent rush. It was a pretty sight, and there was no panL-. A couple of ladies fainted, " but they always do, you know," added tho Admiral.