Dora

Collision at the Mouth of the Tyne
Another Hartlepool Steamer Sunk

 

A collision, similar to that which resulted the sinking of the Dania in the Tyne, in August last, occurred on Saturday night at the mouth of the same river. The night was dark, but clear, and the sea was comparatively smooth. Some surprise was therefore caused when the signal guns from the Spanish Battery and H.M.S. Castor announced a vessel in distress at the south side of the harbour. Although the sound of the guns was not heard all over the district, several lifebrigadesmen and lifeboatmen were soon the scene of the casualty, which proved to be a disastrous collision between the screw-steamer Dora, of West Hartlepool, sister ship to the Dania, and the screw-steamer Otto, of the Wilson Line, Hull. The collision occurred at the east end of the Fish Pier, of South Shields, and was of such force that the Dora immediately began to settle down, and an unsuccessful attempt was made to beach her on the Herd Sand. The Dora was inward bound from Pomaron, with a cargo of pulverised copper, oranges, apples, &c, and was in charge of Mr Matthew Young, pilot. When abreast of the Spanish Battery, Tynemouth, a fishing boat was observed ahead sailing into the harbour, and in order to avoid colliding with this craft the engines of the Dora were stopped, and ordered to go astern. This caused the steamer's head to swing over to the starboard. At the same time the Otto, outward bound to Stettin with coals, was coming through the Narrows, in charge of Mr H, Tully, pilot, and in tow of a steam-tug, and before anything could be done to prevent it, she ran with her stem into the starboard bow of the Dora, making a huge hole in the latter's side. As it was evident that the Dora was rapidly filling with water and settling down forward, her engines were immediately put full speed ahead in order to beach her on the south side of the channel, and she ran on the rubble forming the foundation of the Fish Pier groyne, her bows running on the stones and the after end lying into the river, pointing northward. An examination of the Otto proved that she was not making water, but that she had received great damage to her bows above the water line. She was therefore brought back to the harbour, and moored at Smith's buoys, North Shields. Captain Martin, the commander the Dora, had been ill during the voyage, and upon being landed he was sent in a cab to lodgings in Barker Terrace. The whole of the Dora's crew were rescued, and, with the exception of the steward, they also succeeded in saving their effects. Captain Cottew, of South Shields, agent for the owners the Dora (Messrs F. Herskind and Partners), had the bow of the steamer examined yesterday morning by divers, who found that the rent measured twelve feet length by four feet width The stem of the Otto had cut into the Dora fully four feet. The Dora is 552 tons register and 96 h.p. nominal. She was built at West Hartlepool, in 1871, and is registered in the name of Mr Fritz Herskind, Dock Office Buildings, West Hartlepool. The Otto is 815 tons register, and 98 h.p. nominal. She was built at Hull, in 1867, and is registered in the name of Mr Arthur Wilson, of Hull.

The Sinking of the Dora

 

All yesterday active operations were continued upon the sunken steamer Dora, at the end of the Fish Pier, under the direction of Mr Lishman, Tyne Harbour Master, and Captain Cottew, agent for the owners of the Dora. Mr Moore superintended a staff of divers-, who made a critical examination of the vessel previous to taking out stores and lightening her &c. In consequence of the wind being in favourable direction the utmost energy is exercised to quicken the work. She appears to be resting upon a sandy bottom, and little fear is entertained that she will be lifted.

Source: Shields Daily Gazette 22 November 1881

The Sunken Steamer Dora

Divers, under the superintendence of Mr Forster Moore, are still actively engaged in removing the cargo from the sunken steamer Dora, at the Fish Pier. It is unlikely that pumping operations will be commenced for a while—in fact, such a process of lifting may not ultimately be adopted. A considerable quantity of the cargo has been removed, notwithstanding the disadvantages accruing from variable weather.

Source: Shields Daily Gazette 9 December 1881

The Sunken Steamer Dora

Last night everything was almost in readiness to proceed with the raising of the steamer Dora at the Fish Pier. The divers this morning experimented on the vessel prior to a final attempt to lift.

Source: Shields Daily Gazette 17 December 1881

The Wreck of the Steamer Dora

Preparations for attempting to lift the wreck the screw-steamer Dora lying sunk near the Fish Pier, Shields Harbour, have been continued from time to time, weather and tides have permitted. It is intended to raise her, if possible, by means of steel hawsers, carried underneath the hull, with the ends fastened to hoppers on either side. Ten steel hawsers are to be used, and of this number eight are already fixed, in position. The remaining two, it is expected, will also be in place in the course of the next day or so. a considerable quantity of cargo has been removed from the holds, a successful lift is confidently looked to. The operations are being carried under the direction Mr Paul and Mr S. Cottew, of South Shields, who are acting behalf of the club in which the Dora was insured. The divers engaged are Messrs Forster, Moore, and J. Fry, of Tynemouth, Mr J. Holt, of North Shields, and Mr W. Baker, of Liverpool.

Source: Shields Daily Gazette 19 January 1882

The Sunken Steamer Dora

This morning, a lift was got at the screw steamer Dora, lying sunk near the Fish Pier at South Shields. She was got out of the bank in which she had become embedded, and moved about her own length further into midchannel. It is expected that next tide another lift will be had, and that the vessel will soon be placed upon the shore.

Source: Shields Daily Gazette 24 February 1882

The Steamer Dora.—At yesterday afternoon's flood tide several tugs and hopper craft succeeded in partly Iifting the sunken steamer Dora. She was brought round with her stern to the west, so that she is now much more out the way of traffic. Her bows are, however, still sunk.

Source: Shields Daily Gazette 10 March 1882

The Steamer Dora

Yesterday's attempt to raise this vessel was, like its predecessors, a failure. The raising craft have been removed, and if the weather does not moderate, it may be some days before another endeavour made to remove the obstruction. The wreck is nearly in mid-channel, and rumours are current morning to the effect that it was iv trying to clear that the steamer R. W. Boyd was thrown out of her course, and ran upon the Middens.

Source: Shields Daily Gazette 22 March 1882

The Sunken Steamer Dora

The attempts to save the sunken steamer Dora have been so far successful that arrangements are now being made to have the vessel pumped out with the view to floating her. The vessel has already raised about eight feet, and now lies along the river instead of across it as formerly.

Source: Shields Daily Gazette 23 March 1882

The Dangers of Sunken Wreckage

Last night, a schooner was sailing into the Tyne, and whilst passing the Narrows was unfortunately steered between the lights over the sunken steamer Dora. The schooner stuck fast on the wreck for some considerable time, but eventually managed to disengage herself during a strong puff of wind.

Source: Shields Daily Gazette 13 April 1882

The Wreck of the Steamer Dora

After an expenditure of an immense amount of energy and money, the ill-fated steamer Dora, lying sunk in the Narrows, Shields harbour, has at last been abandoned by the underwriters; and, we understand handed over to the harbour officials of the Tyne Commissioners to deal with as they best think fit. The extensive gearing, including pumps, steel hawsers, &c, have been removed, and the wreck now lies ready for the energetic attention of the Commissioners' men. What means are to be used for speedy removal of this vessel, which has already proved itself to be a most dangerous obstruction at perhaps the most important point of Tyne waterway, have not yet been definitely decided upon; but it is a generally admitted fact in shipping circles, that the sooner out of the way the better the safety of the river traffic.

Source: Shields Daily Gazette 18 April 1882