Collision at Sea

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 167, 19 July 1935, Page 7

Collision at Sea

NIAGARA AND FREIGHTER MR. LYONS ABOARD LINER (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) Received July 18, 9.15 p.m. VICTORIA (8.C.), July 17. The liner Niagara, which left Victoria at 5 p.m. with the Premier ot Australia, Mr. J. A. Lyons, aboard, collided with the freighter King Egbert 40 miles off Victoria. The King Egbert’s bows were damaged and both ships are returning to Victoria under their own power for survey. Details are lacking. COLLISION IN FOG THE NIAGARA LEAKING Received Julv 18, 10.46 p.m. VICTORIA, July 17. Thc collision occurred in a fog iu thc Straits of Juan de Fuca, 23 miles west of thc Race Rocks, the bows of both ships being damaged. The Niagara was the first to rend out an S.O.S. It is understood that no one was injured, and no request was made for salvage ships as the vessels are proceeding back under their own power. The Niagara reported that she was leaking. Captain T. V. Hill, commander of the Niagara, took steps to safeguard the passengers in case of emergency. The King Egbert w?(s en route to Victoria from Port Albcrni. NIAGARA IN PORT ONLY SLIGHTLY DAMAGED Received July 18, 11.20 p.m. VICTORIA, July .17. The Niagara anchored late to-night. She may enter dry dock in the morning. The Canadian-Australian Line stated that it was understotod that the Niagara was only slightly damaged and probably would proceed again to-mor-i o w. FURTHER DETAILS NIAGARA PASSENGERS ASHORE Received July 19, 1.30 a.m. \ VLUTOR.LA, July 18. The passengers were taken off the .Niagara on Thursday morning as the Canadian-Australasian liner was at anchor in the Royal Roads following the collision with the King Egbert, ueiailg are still meagre. Apparently, in a dense fog, the King Egbert at Esquimait smashed in from the fore-loc-t and cut in ten feet at the mam deck. The shell plating- from the forefoot to she main deck was crushed and distorted as was the bow framing. It is reported that the passengers of the Niagara suffered no discomfort.

A member of the King Egbert crew said that though thc Niagara was badly holed towards thc stern, the forecastle of the King Egbert was demolished, and the hawse pipes and anchors had carried away. The damage was confined to thc bow extending back to tho collision bulkhead. Water ballast was pumped to tho aft portion to prevent the ship settling at the head. After the passengers came off the Niagara she proceeds to Esquimalt for survey.