A SENSATIONAL PLUNGE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 147, 19 July 1909, Page 2

A SENSATIONAL PLUNGE

EX-GOVERNOR'S EXPERIENCE. By Cable.—Press Association,—Copyright Sydney, July 17. Sir Harry Ruram had a sensational experience on his trip Home. H« vfw travelling in tire Canadian Pacific Company's steamer Assiniboin, plying on the pleat lakes, a vessel of nearly 4009 tons. She was waiting in the lock wltk the water at the same level as L&ki I Superior, and 18ft above the level o( l)ie channel below, at the lower gate! of tile lock. A steamer manoeuvring outside the lower gatc« crashed into them with a frightful rush, and by the force of the waters of Luke Superior behind them . the Aesiniboia was carried like a straw ■' ihrough the lock, snapping her moorhig ' lines' like a thread. ' The whole alTair lasted a couple of minntss, and the Assiniboin and several other steamers grounded some distance < down. The spectators said that as the A»siniboia shot down the cataract tint poured out of the lock, her bow pitched doiwn the incline of water till her stcri was so high that the propeller mi clean out of the water. Then she struck the level below and the rush of the current swayed her oyer right on her beam ends, so that eiie took in water through the gangway. Sir Harry Rawson, on being interviewed, said the water came down with a magnificent rush. It was a prstty fight. TTiere was •no panic. A couple of ladies fainted, "but they always do that, you know," added the Admiral.