Collision in Sydney Harbour A Steamer Sunk.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 153, 8 May 1886, Page 3

Collision in Sydney Harbour A Steamer Sunk.

A collision which ' might have been attended with serious loss of life took place on the Parramatta River on the 30th, between the ferry steamer Parramatta and the Waterview, a paddleboat. The former vessel sustained auch damage that she sank almost immediately, her paesngers (which fortunately only numbered eight, and the captain and crew barely having time to scramble on board the Waterview, which was returning from Cabarita with the New South Wales and Victorian bowlers and -their friends, including a number of ladiea. The excitement on board both vessels was intense, and it goes without saying that had the Parramatta had anything like a full complement of passengers the result must have been terrible. It seems that the Parramatta, a screw - boat, was on her way from Sydney to Woolwich. All went well until in the vicinity of the Long Nose Point, when Captain West, of the Parramatta. saw the Waterview's green light about 200 yards away The Parranaatta wae making ' for the wharf, and having the green light in view, fully expected to reach it safely. Suddenly, however, it is stated, the Waterview showed her red-light, and although the captain of the Parramatta promptly gave the order, uGn astern," he failed to clear the Waterview, which, it is alleged, struck his ve3sel amidships, and cut through the hull to the extent of three feet. The water began to rush into the Parramatta with alarming rapidity, and as it seemed evident that she could not float long the passengers and crew rushed on board the Waterview, which bad by some means or other wedged herself into the sinking vessel. Within a few seconds after the steamer was abandoned she heeled over and went down in several fathoms of water. The Waterview afterwards made for -the wharf, and landed the passengers.