TEAMERS COLLIDE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 993, 18 May 1911, Page 2

TEAMERS COLLIDE.

WAIRAU STRANDED. A collision took place between the steamers Himataugi and Wairau at midnight on Tuesday in a deep and narrow channel of the river opposite what is known as “ rush flat,” about half a mile on the town side of the fishermen’s flat. As a result of the collision the Wairau was pushed stern on to the bauk, and her bow sank into the channel. She rests on the side of the bank at an angle of about forty-five degrees, and nearly the whole of the vessel is under water. Captain Shaw and the crew were able to get ashore without any difficulty or mishap. The H.imatangi stuck for a little while on the opposite bank of the narrow channel, but apparently did not suffer any damage from the impact, and proceeded on her journey.

The waterway where the collision took place is a narrow and deep channel and awkwardly curved. There is not room enough in the channel tor one vessel to ride at anchor, and this passage of the river requires careful steering. It is approached by a fairly straight run from Hartley’s Bend, and after negotiating it the course is fairly straight out to sea. The shallows on the river side of the channel are shown by red buoys. The Himataugi arrived on Tuesday, coal laden. After discharging her coal, she left by the midnight tide for Wanganui, practically empty. The moon being ac full, made the night almost like day, and there was no fog or mist. The Wairau (Captain Shaw) from Puponga, coal laden, had negotiated the bar and was making for the channel at the same time as the Himataugi. Whether the bend obscured the lights we are not able to ascertain, suffice to say that both vessels were under weigh when they approached each other. We are informed that when the Himataugi saw the Wairau the order was given to go astern, and previous to this the syren was sounded. The Wairau had also tried to prevent a collision.

STATEMENT REGARDING THE COLLISION. Wanganui, May 17. The Himataugi arrived here early this morning, practically no damage being sustained as a result of the collision with the Wairau. The officers are reticent, but it is stated that the Himatangi warned the Wairau to give her more room and then backed on to the bank. The Wairau still came on, and collided, then went on to the bank, the Himataugi coming on.

Interviewed by a Hkkald representative, Captain Shaw, of the Wairau, stated the steamer was loaded with 104 tons of coal from Puponga and left there in ordet to make Foxton by the afternoon tide on Tuesday. On account of the easterly winds, however, she was delayed somewhat, and arrived outside of the Foxton Heads just too late for the tide and had to wait until somewhere before midnight before she could cross me bar. Just past the fishermen’s flat the Himatangi, outward bound, was encountered, and she ran into the Wairau, making a hole about a toot deep on the port side. The vessel filled very quickly and there was only time to swing her stern on to the bank before the bow was submerged. The Himatangi stood by until it was seen that everyone was safe, and then proceeded on her journey to Wanganui. The crew of the Wairau, after doing all that was possible, came into Foxton, where they arrived at about 2 a.m. The Wairau filled so quickly that it was impossible for the crew to save their effects and they are consequently heavy losers in he matter ol clothing, etc. The spot where the collision occurred is the narrowest portion of the channel of the Manawatu River. At the time of the occurrence there was ryft of water. The Wairau is owned by Mr J. Perauo, of Picton. Had this mishap not occurred T was the intention of the agents to make another trip from Pupouga to F'oxton these springs. Captain Shaw has had considerable experience of the Manawatu River, having traded here previously with the Kapiti, Kiripaka and other steamers. He has been master of the Wairau for the past eighteen mouths. This is the first mishap of any kind that he has met with.

In reply to a question, Captain Shaw says that the statement made at Wanganui to the effect that the Himatangi warned the Wairau to give her more room, is not correct. As soon as the Himatangi was sighted the Wairau commenced to go astern and everything possible was done to avert a collision.

Mr J. Perano, the owner of the Wairau, arrived in Foxton at midday to-day. He states that there is no insurance on the vessel. The Wellington agents are sending up a diver and all necessary gear to-night. Nothing has yet been arranged as to steps to be taken in connection with unloading the coal and re-floating the vessel. An inquiry into the cause of the collision will be held in Wellington.

The Wairau is a wooden vessel, built in igoo at Totara North, New Zealand. She is 98 feet long, 23 feet beam, with a draught of 7 feet 1 inch. Her tonnage is 143 gross, and 59 net. She was formerly the sailing vessel Roua, which capsized in Cook Strait about three years ago. On that occasion she was picked up and towed to Wellington, and after lying by for several months, had engines installed.