23 Rescued After Ships Collide North of Hawaii

HONOLULU — Two merchant ships collided in the Pacific 1,100 miles north of Hawaii on Sunday, causing heavy damage to one of the vessels, authorities said Monday.

All 23 crewmen aboard the damaged Panamanian-registered Regent Tam Popo were rescued by the other vessel--the Taiwanese vessel Ming Universe. Only one slight injury was reported. The Regent Tam Popo, carrying a cargo of steel, was extensively flooded and was abandoned, authorities said.