COLLISION WITH AN ICEBERG.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 8990, 23 October 1896, Page 2

COLLISION WITH AN ICEBERG.

Tho Liverpool steamer fitolia is reported to have oollided witb an icsberg on her voyage from Montreal to. Bristol, and to have narrowly esoaped destruction. Tho vessel, commanded by Onptain B P Evans, had on board a number of passengers, 800 head of oattle, and a general car,,o. Aboat 24 hours after oleariog the eastern end of Belle Isle Straits a fog was enoonntered whioh enveloped the ship. The look out was doubled and tbe engines put dead slow, for it was known that icebergs were about, and the greatest caution was necessary. After a few hours the fog lifted, but in a very short time tbe Efcolia again ran into a dense fog, and the engines were once more put dead slow and the watch again doubled, the thermometer was watched, and the temperature of the water taken. In a very short time the look out called out, 'Ice ahead,' Captain Bvans gave the order to stop tbe engines, and then as he saw the hugs form of an iceberg loom up he gave orders to go tull speed astern. The floating monster, howevor, was bearing down on the ■hip, and in a few seoonds was on the top of it. It was an immenso iceberg, towering high above the masts of tho vossel. It itruok the stem of tho steamer, and about 300 tons of ice in huge pieces came croshin? down on board. Fortunately most of it rebounded into the sea, but some forty or fifty tons remained on the ship's deck. The ship vibrated from stem to stern, the bows were smashed in, and orders were given to clear away the boats in caso of the ship going down, The only leakage, however, wat found in tho forepeak, and for 30 hours the Etolia lay without a movement of the engines except a touch ahead or astern to clear another iceberg. A wooden bulkhead was constructed against the broken plates, and the ice was cleared from the deck and forecastle head. A consultation having been held, Captain Evans deoided to continue his voyage, although his destination was about 2000 miles distant. The fog cleared, and Haally Captain Brans had the satisfaction, after a most anxious and trying time, of bringing his ship, passengers, orew, and cattle safely into Bristol.