On Wednesday morning, as these boats were running their usual trips to and from Parramatta, a alight collision took place. Mr. Brett, the master of the Pelican, has furnished us with the following particulars :-

At about 9.30 a.m., when rounding Pulpit Point, both kept close in shore, the Pelican, which was coming down the river, being close in under the point, consequently the other boat could not see her until within a ship's length of her. The Pelican attempted to pass on the port side, but finding she could not do so without doing serious damage, stopped the engine and kept close in along the shore. The Emu also attempted to pass nearest the point, and not having room to go between the other boat and the rocks, and there not being time to shift the helm sufficiently, both vessels struck with their paddle boxes. The wheels of both were crippled, and a small deckhouse of the Emu carried away, beyond which we believe the damage to be trifling. One person, who was standing by the rail, was thrown overboard by the shock of the vessels meeting but he found his way ashore without any injury, save a wet jacket. Both being repaired last evening, and will, we believe, run their trips to-day as usual.

SG & SGTL Vol 12 ; Page 125 ; 11 Jun 1855

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