HARBOUR COLLISION.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 780, 1 April 1910, Page 6

HARBOUR COLLISION.

THE DAMAGE TO THE COBAR. INQUIRY MAY BE ORDERED. • In connection with the collision that occurred in the harbour on Wednesday night between the ferry steamers Cobar and Duchess, whereby both vessels were damaged, the Collector of Customs yesterday received reports from the masters of the steamers. The reports have been sont on to the Marine Department, and it is considered probable that the Minister will order a magisterial inquiry at an early date. It is now stated that just before the steamers touched the engines of the Cobar were sent astern, otherwise both steamers would probably have been seriously damaged. Yesterday the Cobar was examined on the beach at Thorndon Quay, and it was found that the vessel's ' stem' had received the impact, and two or three planks had opened out, causing the inrush of water that caused Captain Williams to beach her. The Tepairs are expected to take some three or four days to. effect, and then the steamer should be ready to resume running. She was half full of water yesterday, but was resting in a safe position. As the damage to the Duchess is only slight, the ferry service is being maintained as usual —the Admiral running in place of the Cobar. Late yesterday afternoon the steamer Pilot went alongside the. Cobar on Thorndon Quay, and was adjusting a powerful pump to clear the water out of the Cobar. In all probability the damaged vessel will be Teady for the Patent Slip to-day. .