HARBOR COLLISION.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8362, 28 July 1920, Page 3

HARBOR COLLISION.

IN DENSE FOG. FERRY STEAMER RAMS A LINER. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, This day. During a dense fog in the harbor the ferry steamer Duchess rammed he New Zealand Shipping Co.’s liner Rualiine, which was lying alongside Queen’s Wharf. The collision caused lamage to the Ruahine which will run into some hundreds of pounds, and [he Duchess had her boiler shifted six inches forward through the force if the impact. Although some of the passengers on the Duchess were thrown off their seats no one was injured.

The Duchess’ stem struck the Ruahine on the starboard side close to the after end of the engine-room, making an indentation visible for nine feet above the water-line and extending below the water. Four or five plates of the Ruahine have been badly dented and bent, and the frames inside the hull also bent inwards. A few rivets were sprung, causing a slight leakage, but temporary repairs were effected which will enable the vessel to reach London, where she will be permanently repaired. The Duchess was able to resume running almost immediately.

A notable coincidence is the fact that some years ago, while the Ruahine was lying alongside the same berth she was rammed and damaged by tbe Union Co.’s turbine steamer Maori.

Later. It is estimated that the damage done to the Ruahine through the harbor ferry steamer Duchess colliding with her during yesterday’s fog amounts to about £SOOO. Temporary repairs will be carried out in Wellington and permanent at Home.