Crowley (I)

On October 09, 1874 this vessel was grounded in Victoria Harbour BC Canada. This vessel was lightened and released without damage. On Thursday, June 22, 1876 returning to San Francisco from Victoria BC this vessel collided with the Zealandia- "The steamer City of Panama arrived from Victoria about ten o'clock last evening. When coming into the Pacific Mail Steamship Company's wharf, this vessel ran into the steamship Zealandia, inflicting considerable damage, though not as great as at first reported. It appears that the City of Panama came in at first at the head of the dock; but her master, receiving some instructions, backed out into the stream, and making a turn, carne back up to the dock to take position aft of the Zealandia, whose bow was pointing toward the head of the dock. Whether from some misunderstanding of the bells, or for some reason that has not yet been explained, this vessel went bead on against the port side of the Zealandia, striking her about abreast of the after hatch, twisting and forcing in a number of her plates, for a space of about fourteen feet in length and one foot in breadth, just above and below the water line. To use the expressive language of one who was present, there was a hole big enough for a man to crawl through, if he felt like doing so. Canvas was immediately got out, and hung over the opening to prevent the influx of water; but one of the compartments, the steamer being divided into several, filled rapidly, and they soon settled, until the stern of the steamer was on about a level with the wharf, while the bow was high above it. After inflicting the damage, the City of Panama, which seemed to suffer trifling, if any, injury, went out into the stream at a considerable distance from the wharf. - The mails were placed upon a boat and taken ashore. When the full extent of the damages of the Zealandia were ascertained, a force of forty men was gathered together, and worked all through the night, "listing" the steamer, so that the injured plates should be brought above the waterline. When this ia completed temporary repairs will be made, and the compartment pumped out. It is then likely this vessel will go into the dry dock for complete repairs. It will take from one to two weeks to repair damages."