The Avon Steamer.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7061, 13 January 1891, Page 4

The Avon Steamer.

Upon examination of this Bteamer at low water yesterday, the cause of her sinking was at once apparent. The eea -valve, through whioh the supply tank for iihe boiler receives its water was found to be open, and the tank having become full, the water ran over into the hold and thus -^submerged the boat. Captain Owles states that ho was on board at 10.30 on Saturday night, and everything was then alt right. At aix o'clock next morning a milkman named Barker passed her, and saw nothing wrong, as did Mr Payne, shoemaker, and several others, but at 6.45 the captain, on going down to give the boat a clean up, found her submerged nearly to the top of her funnel, it then being high water. The valve must have been open on Saturday night, as from the -smallness of the aperture, it would have taken all night to fill her hold, but once she sunk to the level of her scuppers, the water would come in with a ruah, and she would settle down in a very few minutes. Yesterday, Mr Walker, with a gang of men, was endeavouring to raise her with the aid of tanks, but up to the time of our reporter leaving, they had not succeeded. It ia expeoted, however, that Bhe will be above water again at high tide to-night. The unfortunate affair is the more to be regretted, as her trial on Saturday, after -some alterations had been made in her steering gear, was most satisfactory.