A NARROW ESCAPE FROM COLLISION IN THE FRENCH PASS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 380, 12 March 1880, Page 2

A NARROW ESCAPE FROM COLLISION IN THE FRENCH PASS.

The steamers Waitaki and Charles Edward narrowly escaped a disastrous collision in the French Pass on Thursday night. The Charles Edward left Nelson at 7 o'clock on Wednesday evening, and reaching the French Pbsr at 11, steamed slowly through against the tide, which was adverse. The night was dark and rather thick, while the precipitous spur which projects into the passage on the Boilth side elfectually shut out any long view ahead. Suddenly, to the horror of those on board, the lights of another fctcarner were Been coming round that corner, and bearing down on the Charles, Edward with the full forre of the strong ■• tide which runs through the '" narrows " at the rate oi! 10 or 12 knots. All her lights were visible, thus showing that she was heading straight for the Charles Edward. It wjis perfectly well known on board the latter thnt tha other could not possibly stop or even check her way without jnstaut destruction, and tho only chance of cßcape for both vessels was to get tho Charles Edward out of the direct course. Captain Withwell, who never lost his presence of mind, instantly stopped the engines, and then put them full speed astern. For a few moments the vessel hung motionless, and then began to move backward just in time for the approaching steamer, which proved to be the YVaifaki, to slip by. almost <\.aching her as she passed. The escape was about ,'h close a-: wi H'could be, and had the threatened collision occurred, it is hardly likely (hat a sou! would have escaped to tell the tale.— Evening Font, March (lib.