COLLISION AT SEA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1082, 28 December 1903, Page 2

COLLISION AT SEA.

BETWEEN A STEAMER AND BIG SHIP. CAPTAIN AND SEAMAN KILLED.

By Telegraph—Pri ; . Association —Copyright • Received 7.30 pan., Dec 20 Melbourne-. Di e. 26. A disastrous coiiisM.i occurred between the steamer Uogce, from Launceston, and (ho four masted ship Purtunntus Figari, bound to Newcastle i’i bailas". Captain Carrington, of the Cogee, and a seaman v, 83 ki.lt cl, and the second mate injuitd. The Foiiumhus Figari sailed on the IStb. Since then the met with head wind?, which prevented her making any progress up the coast. The collision tuck place just btfero daybreak, during a very heavy fog. No particulars arc yet to hand how itoccutred. The passengers all escaped unhurt. No damage was douo to either vessel below the water line. The Cogce’s passengers were transferred to the ship, and the Cogee, despite her crippled condition, took the Fortunatus Fign.i in tow, and proceeded to make Port Phil ip minus her funnel and a makeshift wheel, very slow progress being made. They uro expected to arrive tonight.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. COOGEE LADEN WITH HOLIDAY MAKERS. By Telegraph— Press Association— Copyright Received 10.3 a.m., Dec. 27. Melbourne, Dec. 27.

The Ccogee arrived last night in a very battered condition. The upper works from stem to stern were swept clean away. Tho wheel was disabled, the fuuuel and masts broken short oil'. Tho collision occurred on Friday morning, somewhere between Cape 3 Sohancu and Liptrap. Tho Coogeo was en route from Launceston, laden with holiday pas sengers. The Figari struck with tremeudous force, heeling the Coogee almost over, and throwing tho passengers out of their berths. A scone of great excitement followed. Pnssnnvers rushed on deck.

The darkness of the morning ami tho dense fog added to the difficulties of tho situation. It was at first thought Ibat tho Coogoe wos sinking, and tho passengers wore transferred to the Figari, from which a hawser was also carried. After a long delay the vessels were got under wav, and proceeded slowly in company to port. The first news of the disaster was brought by tho pilot steamer Yictoria, which did not roach the city until many hours afterwards. Tugs wore at onco despatched to givo assistance. Six miles outside of the Heads, us it wus found possible for the Coogee to make progress her self, the passengers were rotransferrod, and the Cocgce, separating from the Fignri, enmo on slowly alone. At the time of tho impact Captain Car-

rington and tho second mate, Durant, were on the bridge, and two seamen wore tho only persons on the Coogeo’s deck. Tho captain is behoved to have boon instantly killed. Seaman Jolly was pinned beneath a mass of wrcckoge, and tuccumbed before ho was extricated. The second mat-o’s thigh was broken, and he wos injured internally. The fourth man escaped unhurt. AVhen the funnel fell it swept down by tho bowsprit of tile Figari, carrying the steam pipe with it. The sleeping crew had a narrow escape, the scalding steam penetrating the forecastle. Tiie damage to the Coogeo amounts to several thousands pounds. The Figari, which is reported to be badly injured in tho bows and with a hole in tho hull, remained outside the Heads Tugs havo been sent to tow her in Captain Carrington resided at St. Kiidu. He leaves a widow and five children.