NIAGARA REACHES AUCKLAND LATE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 46, 24 February 1931, Page 5

NIAGARA REACHES AUCKLAND LATE.

SLIGHTLY DAMAGED IN BUMP AT VANCOUVER. (Special to the " Star.”) AUCKLAND, February 23. Several hours behind her usual time of arrival, the Union Company’s Royal mail liner, Niagara, reached Auckland from Vancouver this afternoon. Adverse weather conditions near the end of the trip were responsible for the delay. The vessel brought 78 passengers as well as letters and cargo for New Zealand. “ The bump was so slight that not half a dozen people on board knew anything had happened,” said one of the ship’s officers in referring to the mishap the liner had at Vancouver. The accident happened about halfpast eight in the morning when the vessel was moving to her berth. A dense fog enveloped the harbour at the time, and from the bridge it was impossible to distinguish even objects on the fo’c’sle head. Actually the ship merely grazed the concrete pier, but even the smallest impact is serious when a vessel the size of the Niagara is concerned. All the damage was forward, the stem and several plates being affected. While the vessel was discharging and loading her bow was raised and the work of replacing eight plates and straightening the stem was carried out with a minimum of delay in order that the liner should not be delayed in her sailing for New Zealand. Workmen were engaged on the repairs day and night, and the job was completed the night before the vessel sailed. It was stated on board that the extent of the damage was approximately £ISOO, and not; £BOOO as reported by cable. A pilot was in charge of the ship when she struck the wharf. Among the passengers who disembarked at Auckland were Mr J. S. Fletcher, M.P. for Grey Lynn and Mrs Fletcher, Mr. and Mrs G. H. Wilson, of Auckland, and Mr W. R. Jeffreys, of London. Through passengers for Sydney include Professor S. Angas, of Sydney, Sir Gould and Lady May, of London, and Mr E. R. Abigail, of Sydney.