STEAMERS COLLIDE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 304, 18 May 1911, Page 5

STEAMERS COLLIDE.

IN MANAWATU RIVER. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Palmerston N., Wednesday. The steamers Himitangi and Wairau collided in the narrow channel of the Manawatu river at midnight last night. The Wairau was struck amidships and slewed round with her stern on to the bank, where she now lies with her bow under water. The crew of nine got safely ashore with their baggage. TheIliniitangi was apparently uninjured and proceeded to Wanganui. The Wairau was coal laden and was inward bound. Details as to how the collision occurred are not yet ascertainable. It is surmised that there will be no difficulty in getting the vessel off, but it will be difficult getting the cargo out, the steamer being submerged to about amidships at low water. Wanganui. Wednesday.

The Himitangi arrived here early this morning, practically no damage having been sustained as the result of a collision with the Wairau. The officers are reticent, but it is stated that the Ilimitan'gi warned the Wairau to give her more room, and then backed on to the bank, but the Wairau still came on and collided, and then went back on to the bank, the Himitangi tconT|ng 4on here. The Wairau was formerly the sailing vessel Ilonga, which capsized in Cook Strait three years ago, and was picked up and towed to Wellington, and after lying there several months had engines installed.