A SCOW SUNK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 70, 12 March 1908, Page 2

A SCOW SUNK.

IN AUCKLAND HARBOR. , CUT IX TWO BY A STEAMER. A SEAMAN DROWNED. SOME NARROW ESCAPES. Per Press Association. Auckland, Wednesday. The scow Moonali, a vessel of 83 tons, owned by the Northern Coal Company, was entering the hiirlior loaded with coal shortly before eleven o'clock hist night when >lu l collided with the Union Company's steamer Wairuna, bound for Newcastle. The Wairuna bad Mt the Railway Wharf about 10 o'clock, and was proceeding down the harbor under easy steam. The ship's officers Stale that oil' the Caliope dock the lights of a small vessel were discovered in close proximity to the teamer. The order "Full speed astern!" was given, but it was too late to avert a collision. The steamer crashed into the scow amidships. The scow sank almost immediately. Boats were lowered from the Wairnna.

Of the live men belonging to the ] scow, all were rescued except t'red. Smith, of whom no trace could be found. Captain .Silva, master of the scow, had one of his legs badly fractured, and an A.B. named Ste'illiug' sustained severe injury to his hack. The officers of the Wairuna and those belonging to the scow'are reticent as to the collision.

One of the Moonah's crew said: "It w a very sudden call. As tlie steamer came down upon us. I could see what was coming, and seized a lifebuoy. I rushed aft, followed by Smith. We were all in the water in a few seconds. X do not know how Smith was drowned, hut I think lie must have gone down with the scow."

The scow Moonah was built six years ago nt a cost ol' .Cim Sh 0 was not insured. She is sunk in six fathoms of water, right in the fairway. The liull is practically cut in two. The foretop-mast just shows above water. The mizzen was broken off by the deck. One of the scow's crew was aloft furling tlie topsail when the vessels collided, lie was thrown on the deck of the steamer and escaped serious injury, besides avoiding a "ducking." The master of the scow, Captain Silva, was at the wheel when the Wairuna struck his vessel. Ilia leg was broken by the wheel spinning beyond his conj trol.