SHIPS COLLIDE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 179, 1 August 1940, Page 5

SHIPS COLLIDE

TWO LARGE OVERSEAS VESSELS ONE BADLY HOLED SERIOUS ACCIDENT OFF WELLINGTON [ Per Press Association, j WELLINGTON, July 31. A serious collision between two large overseas ships occurred shortly before 9 o'clock to-night at a position 20 miles east of Cape Campbell and 40 miles to tne southward of Pencarrow Head. The vessels involved were the British motor-ship Armadale (5066 tons) and the Norwegian tanker Ole Jacob (8306 tons). The Armadale was seriously damaged in No. 1 hold, but the extent of the injury to the tanker was not ascertainable to-night.

News of the collision was made known by an S.O.S. message transmitted by the Armadale, whose master reported that his ship was badly holed forward and No. 1 hold was flooded. The weather was fine, and the sea smooth, and the Armadale was in no danger as long as the bulkheads held. The tanker was standing by the Armadale, which asked that assistance be sent to her. Immediately the news was received steps were taken to send tugs to the assistance of the Armadale. The Wellington Harbour Board tug Toia and the Union Steam Ship Coy.’s tug Terawhiti, with heavy towing hawsers and other gear, were despatched shortly before midnight and were expected to reach the Armadale about 4 o’clock to-morrow morning. The Armadale will be towed to Wellington and may be expected to arrive during the forenoon. She will be placed on the floating dock for repairs.

Nothing was known locally to-night regarding the circumstances in which the collision occurred.