Ferry Hits Wharf; Five Injured

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30978, 7 February 1966, Page 1

Ferry Hits Wharf; Five Injured

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, February 6. Five people were admitted to North Shore Hospital and several others treated for minor injuries after the ferry Takapuna struck the Devonport wharf just before 10 a.m. today.

The crash, described by several passengers as a sudden and heavy impact, caused extensive damage to the right side of the vessel.

The manager of North Shore Ferries, Ltd., Mr L. S. Dromgoole, said tonight he expected a Marine Department inquiry would be held into the cause. The ferry was carrying

about 500 members of , the Auckland Rail Enthusiasts’ Society, who were going to Motuihe Island for a picnic. She was preparing to berth at the Devonport wharf to pick up more members when the mishap occurred. The picnic was abandoned. The president of the society, Mr R. 1. Barker, said it was the first time the society had not taken a train for its annual picnic, usually held at Waiuku.

“It was not possible to take a train there this year,” he said, “and we decided to take a ferry to Motuihe Island. It was unfortunate the mishap occurred.” One of the passengers admitted to North Shore Hospital, Miss H. Larkin, of Remuera, who had suffered minor lacerations and shock, was allowed home this afternoon.

She was sitting on the right side on the lower deck of the vessel when the Takapuna rammed a corner pile supporting the Devonport vehicular wharf.

“Timber smashed down on top of the several people sitting near me,” she said. “We were very lucky.” Mrs B. Reynolds, of 3 Kerry place, Papakura, who was admitted to the hospital with a fractured right thigh, was later transferred to Middlemore Hospital. Her condition tonight was described as fair.

In the North Shore Hospital tonight were Gerrard Tibbits, aged eight, the son of Mr and Mrs D. Tibbits, of 3A Mountain road, Panmure, who suffered cuts to the groin and shock, and Miss Barbara M.ffey, of 4 Pencarrow avenue, Mt. Eden, who suffered multiple cuts to the legs. Their conditions tonight were described as satisfactory. The fifth person admitted. Craig Duthie, the son of Mr and Mrs G. J. Duthie, of 46 Tawa crescent, Manurewa. who suffered cuts to the skull and shock, was allowed home this afternoon.

The secretary of the society, Mr A, N. Tewsley, said the impact with the wharf had been hard.

“Usually,” he said, “the ferry bounces off, but on this occasion it just kept going after splitting the pile it first hit.” Mr Tewsley said the impact was so sudden, that there had been no chance to shout a warning. In the circumstances, he said, passengers remained calm. Mr Dromgoole said it appeared the Takapuna had been carried by a large tidal swell which caused it to hit the pile.