SERIOUS STEAMBOAT COLLISION AT WELLINGTON.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2513, 27 April 1882, Page 3

SERIOUS STEAMBOAT COLLISION AT WELLINGTON.

fPBESS ASSOCIATION TELEGEAM.]j WELLINGTON, April 26. A collision between steamer* Wakatu and Ladybird occurred alongside Queen’s Wharf at seven o’clock this evening. The Wakatu was lying alongside the wharf, and the Ladybird was coming into a berth, having just arrived from Westport with a cargo of coals The Ladybird came on with too much way, and before her speed could be checked she struck the Wakatu amidships on the starboard side, cutting her down to the covering board. The Wakatu is well and stronglybuilt vestol, but the force of the collision tore the plates as if they wore paper. Both boats, along with the davits, have been rendered useless. They were literally smashed to pieces. The steering gear was put out of order. The funnel stays and the main-stay wore also carried away. The ladies’ cabin was smashed fora and aft, and the captain’s cabin was also completely destroyed. Captain Gibbons was lying down at the time of the collision, and narrowly escaped being killed. As it was he received some slight bruises. Several of the Wakatu’s beams wore also bent by the force with which she was pressed against the wharf. The exact damages received by the Wakatu will not bo ascertained until to-morrow, but it is estimated that her repairs will cost fully £BOO. The Wakatu is not making any water. Several persons on the wharf heard the order given on the Ladybird to "go astern,” but the engines ware not reversed until too late. When the captain of the Ladybird saw that the collision was imminent bo let go both anchors. This, however, had no effect on the vessel’s speed. The only damage sustained by the Ladybird was that her bobstay had been carried away. Fortunately there was no one about the deck of the Wakatu »t the time of the collision.