COLLISION AT WHARF.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1523, 20 August 1912, Page 6

COLLISION AT WHARF.

9 IRON AND WOODEN STEAMER. As tho steamer John, inward bound from Lytteltou, was coming up to her berth, at No. 13 Customhouse Quay, yesterday afternoon sho collided with the steamer Defender, and caused slight damage to the latter vessel's counter. At tho timo of tho mishap the John wns steaming slowly ahead. Captain Holm, her master, gavo the order to go astern, but it is stated that the engines refused.to act at that.moment. The Johii. had good way on at tho time, and a rope," which had been pnt ashore, although niado fast to the bitts, failed to check her. Seeing then that tho Defender was lying at the berth ahead of him, and also seoiqg that a collision was likely, Captain Holm gave orders to drop tho starboard anchor. This was done promptly, but it did not have the desired effect. Tho John continued her way slowly ahead, and crashed through the port-counter of the Dofonder. It was a case of an iron steamer ooming iu contact with a. wooden one, and tho latter came off second best. Besides smashing the bulwarks, a deckhouse was dislodged. It is held by those who witnessed the accident that had it not' been for ike prompt action of dropping tho anchor the affair would have been much nioro serious. Repairs were effected, and the Defender sails for Picton to-day.