A NARROW SHAVE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 78, 22 September 1911, Page 5

A NARROW SHAVE.

WARSHIP COLLIDES WITH THE GREAT OLYMPIC. BOTH VESSELS DAMAGED. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 21, 5.5 p.m. London, September 21. While the Olympic was passing Cowes, bound for Cherbourg, en route to New York, with 3000 people aboard, 732 being first-class passengers, including a dozen millionaires, the cruiser Hawke overtook heT in a drizzling rain, and was steaming alongside. The cruiser slowed down to pass astern, but, apparently drawn by suction, she crashed into the Olympic's starboard. There was no panic. The collision doors were promptly closed, and the cruiser returned to Portsmouth. The fore compartments of the warship were filled.

The Olympic returned slowly to Southampton. Some of her plates are badly buckled, leading to a huge gap, and the vessel has a distinct list.

A TERRIFIC IMPACT. FORTY FEET OF OLYMPIC'S PLATES TORN. WARSHIP BADLY SMASHED. Received 21, 10.15 fm. London, September 21. The impact was terrific, being like the report of a heavy gun. It was heard a mile away. Forty feet of the Olympic's plates were torn, the cruiser's stem penetrating the second-class cabins.

The Hawke looked like turning turtle, but quickly righted herself. Her stem was smashed from the waterline backto the hawser holes.

The suddenness with which the cruiser changed her course suggests that the steering gear was at fault.

The Olympic is the world's largest vessel. She was launched at Belfast shortly before the Coronation. The huge steamer is 810 feet long and 62 feet deep, with a beam of 92 feet, and has nine steel decks. Accommodation «8 provided for 5000, passengers. There are three sets of engines, each driving one screw, and the total indicated horsepower is from 48,000 to 50,000. The speed developed is about 21 knots. The main saloon of the Olympic, with a beam of 90 feet, has an area never before attempted afloat, and in many respects the ship resembles a great hotel. One of the upper decks is enclosed completely to serve as a ballroom, theatre or skating .rink. A large swimming bath, deep enough to permit of diving, is provided, and passengers are able, if they so desire, to engage complete flats and travel rn privacy. Each flat includes a suit of rooms and a small section of promenade deck. Several dining saloons are provided, the most unusual in design being a verandah cafe, built on one of the' upper decks far astern. Incidentally, the Olympic is supposed to be fireproof and practically unsinkable. The vessel cost £1,500,000. A sister ship is under construction at Belfast, and will be launched in Januarv.