SYDNEY FERRY STRIKES ROCK IN HEAVY FOG

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5287, 27 December 1946, Page 5

SYDNEY FERRY STRIKES ROCK IN HEAVY FOG

Passengers Rescued By Naval Party SYDNPIY, December 2(5. In heavy fog late last night, the Manly ferry Deewhy, carrying about 1700 passengers, strucik a rock in Obelisk Bay, Ceorge's Head, just inide the harbour mouth. There were no casualties, but many women passengers became alarmed, and a number had to be restrained from jumping overboard. Passengers remained in the brightly-lit ship until the early hours of the moring, when two others ferries lay alongside and took the passengers off. Tugs later refloated the Deewhy on the rising tide and towed her to a iierth in Neutral Bay. When she struck she was travelling at three knots. Suddenly the clilf loomed out of the fog, and she grounded witha louu crash, which was heard by naval personnel stationed nearby. A naval rescue party was quickly organised. Ropes were passed from the ferry to the shore, and within a few minutes the first of several men from the ferry were ashore. A man and four youths negotiated the rope hand over hand. All ferries v/ere later suspended because of the fog. This placed a heavy burden on tram and bus services to Manly.