ACCIDENT TO VICTORIA

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1733, 26 April 1906, Page 2

ACCIDENT TO VICTORIA

AN ANXIOU3 TIME. Bydney, April 16. The Now Zealand steamer Viotoriaput in an appearance at the Heads at daylight on Saturday. Her approach was re ported by ihe lookout at the South Head S'gnal Staliorr, bnd quickly allayed any anxi.ty that may have hern felt for tbe steamer's safety. Oa reaching the wharf it wsb found that (he delay was due to tbe bottom of tbe bigb pressure oylindor being knocked cut.

The Victoria left Auckland on Monday last and made splendid running until twenty five minutes to seven a.m. on Friday, when the cylinder bottom collapsed. Tho acoident, of course, brought the steamer to a standstil l , and although it wqs considered possible for the eogineers to dis.oonnecjb tfre disabled oyljmder, it waß at once decided to despatch one of tbe ship's lifeboats to Sydpey to seek assistance.

Tbe boat was in pbarge of Mr Bates, tbe ohief officer, and was manned by tbe boat3wa : n and four seamen. Tho boat git away within a quarter of an hour from tbe lima tbe vassal stopped. Meanwhile, tho ohief engineer, Mr H. Bennett, and the staff, set to work to discooneot tbe broken cylinder and attempt to compound tbe e.gines. This proved a d fficult task but tbe engine-room staff did splendid work, p,nd by a quarter past ten p.m. had tho ongmes going again. A trial showed (hat the vcsbol could make to 10 knots under the compound engines. Captain Waller immediately put the steamer on her course. She eame along under easy steam, and a sharp lookout was kept for the ship's boat, which was sighted burning a blue light dead ahead at two o’clook on Saturday morning, just as tho Maoquatie light came info view. The boat was hoisted aboard, and the Victoria reached the Heals four hours later.

Tbe passengers speak highly of the pluck displayed by Mr Bates and tbe boat’s orew in putting off from tbe ship to obtain assistance. Tbe boat had sailed and rowed over 55 miles before fc.eing overtake n by the Viotoria. Mr Bates, the obief officer, etatos that after leaving tbe Victoria a slant of wind enabled him to parry sail until out of sight of tho steamer. Then tbp wind veerod to the we6t, and for 12 hours tho orew were at their oars, the boat throughout making splendid weather. At 10 o'clock on Friday night sail was again set, and the boat was slowly making headway towards tho port when the Victoria came up under her own stoarn and picked it up, The boat at the time was within 25 miles of Sydney Hoads. On coming alongside the ccoupanls were cheered by tho passeDgcis. A survey of the engineroom on arrival showed how serious tbe damago was, and tho engineoriog stiff are to be complimented on tbe smart engineering feat performed, which enabled ihe vessel to msko port safely.