THE WAIRARAPA COLLISION.

Inangahua Times, Volume IX, Issue 1372, 10 March 1884, Page 2

THE WAIRARAPA COLLISION.

[OTAGO DAILY TIMES.] We have obtained the following description of the collision from a passeuger, Mr W. W. Whiteman, at one time a Dunedin citizen, but at present a Wanganui settler. He says .• — " I have frequently travelled on the inter colonial boats, and know the channel from Melbourne to the Hpads pretty well. The Wairai-apa left the Queen's Wharf, Yarra Eiver, about half-past 5 on the evening of the collision. She steamed down tho river very slowly until we reached Williamstown, whei'e we were boardod by tho Customs officers. They detained us for some time, and when they cleared the ship she went ahead at full speed. I was then on the upper deck with tny wife, niece, and ano»her lady. The Adelaide was in sight when we started at full speed, but I did not pay any attention to her until we had gone some distance. After dark she steamed up to us, and 1 should think her bows would be about amidships of the Waivarapa. She kept dropping behind and coining up again. She came in close alongside of us and sheered off again. Sometimes she came in every close to us, and I thought there would be a collision long before it did actually take place, owing to the way she jam bed us up towards the bank of the channel. We were as close into the bank as we could go- Flames six to ten feet high were constantly coming out of the Adelaide's funnel. I have often seen steamers racing on the Clyde, and have seen flames coming out of their funnels ; but I never saw fire and steam fly like they did out of the Adelaide that night. Steam was escaping from her all the time and, my word, she. must be a grand boat for raising stcain. There was no escape of lire or j steam from out steamer. It was dark, I

and we could not fail to have seen fire if there was any coming out of the funnel. The vessels continued goinsf as I have described, when the Adelaide sheered in upon us very close. Then 1 saw it was inevitable that the boats must come into collision, but that they need not fear any dapper. I knewthere was no danger,* for the boatswere going side by side in the same direction. Th« shock then- earn**. The captain of the other vessel evidently tried to steer on to the side of the chan~ nel, and in doing so brought the quarters of the vessel into collision. Our captain, as far as I can leai'u r steered his vessels bo as to follow theAdelaide when she steered to- port so as to ease the shock of the collision. After striking us, the Adelaide dropped astern several lengths. Our captuiu sent a man round to examine the damage, aud kept the steamer stead Ay ahead Shortly after wards we found ourselves enveloped in a dense fog. We soon saw ther Adelaide corning towards vs — thistimo on the starboard. They were heaving the lead on our boat, evidently looking for an anchorage. The Adelaide wascoming right across our bows, and when our captain saw that he reversed the engines aud went slowly astern, so asto prevent any collision. If we had kept going ahoad the Adelaide would have run right into us. We then came to an anchor. There was great alarm among our passengers when the collision occurred ; aud my niece, whowas in delicate health was hysterical for a long time afterwards. 1 did not know that there was any race contemplated, but I certainly heard somegossip on the subject among the passengers." , Don't die in the house. — " Rough on Eats " clears out rats, mice, beetles, roaches, bed-bags, flies, ants, insects, moles, jack-rabbits, gophers, Moses, Moss & Co., Sydney, General Agents.