GLANCING BLOW

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 82, 30 December 1937, Page 8

GLANCING BLOW

Damage to Wanganella Not Great A LUCKY ESCAPE (Reeeived 30, 9.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 29. Mr T. W. Parker, manager of the Huddart Parker Company, said he regarded the damage to the Wanganella as negligible and never at any time was there cause for anxiety. The collision occurred about 1.40 a.m. Visibility was normal, although some of the passengers assert that it was misty. The Wanganella was struck a glancing blow on the starboard side immediately below the forward funnel. Two strakes above the waterline and two below were severed and nine plates were dented and buckled. Water entered between the damaged plates, but the pumps were able to cope with it. Temporary repairs were made by the chief engineer, Mr Wylie, who was lowered over t..e side and bolted two plates along the upper damaged strake. The fdrce of the impact hurled six stewards from their biinks immediately abaft the point of collision. A number of passengers wno hurried on deck to ascertain the cause were immediately assured there was no danger, but it was some time before the excitement died down. Quite a number preferred not to return to their bunks. Fortunately there was a relatively cairn sea, and the night was warm, so that tljere was no discomfort experienced by passengers. t ' When the Wanganella reached her berth at Sydney to-day only 44 of the 108 passengers resumed the voyage to Melbourne by the Orungal. Some elected to go by to-night's train. The remainder eliminated Melbourne from their holiday itinerary. $ No cause has so far been assigned for the collision, but the view is expressed that the presence of drifting and badly-lighted trawlers in the track of regular inter-State liners up and down the coast constitutes a menace to shipping. . Marine authorities express the opinion that the Wanganella had a lucky escape, being practically saved by her heavy bulkhead. The Duraween, whose master is Captain Samuel Mills, carries a crew of 12.