STEAMERS COLLIDE.
. STORM AND WAKATU. (nr TBLBCUAPB—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Christchurch, March 26. Tho Maoriland Shipping Company's steamel Storm and tho coastal steamer Wakatu collided last night, and both arrived at Lyttolton this morning in seriously damaged condition. Tho Storm left Lyttelton in the evening for Wanganui, and tho Wakatu was making ono of her usual trips down tho coast from Kaikoura. Tho night was perfectly clear ; though dark, ami tho vessels could bo sighted from each other whilo still far apart. Captain Wills, of tho Wakatu. and Captain Woods, of tho Storm, had both left tho decks in chargo of their respective officers, and were- unablo to account for tho accident. It is presumed that tho steamers woro coining towards each other almost head on, but that u collision was not thought likely till they wore close together. Tho courso of ono or both must have been suddenly changed, for' tho Wakatu's bow struek squarely on tho starboard side of tho Storm's stern. The conilict was won by the moro strongly-plated vessel! Tho Storm was not cut much. Tho side abovo the deck lino was crushed down almost to tho deck, tho stanchions bent up, tho plating torn, aud much crumpled. Luckily, tlio steering chains woro not fouled. Below tho deck littlo worso happened than tho starting of a few rivets. Tho Wakatu came off second best. A gaping holo was cut in her how by tho wedge-shaped body of the Storm's stern deck and overhang of her counter forming a cutting angle Tho gap in tho Wakatu extends right back tq a light bulkhead, a few foot from tho stem, and tho stem and thin plating of tho sides aro torn and crumpled out of recognition. Tho _ holo would havo lot a lot of water into tho foc'slo if thoro had been any sen to encounter, but the weather was luckily calm. Both steamers came down to Lyttelton at once, having first mado mutual inquiries as to whether assistance was needed by tlio other, which was not, and they arrived between 3 and 4 a.m.
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Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 467, 27 March 1909, Page 4
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345STEAMERS COLLIDE. Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 467, 27 March 1909, Page 4
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