Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-11-16
A Steamboat Collision.
The Louisiana Sunk in CheS-
apeake Bay.


! Baltimore, November IA. The following
s'atemt mt has been furnished to the Associat
| ID Press, in regard TO the collision between
the steamers Falcon and Louisiana in Chesa
peake Bay last night, by Capt Mayo of the
Louisiana:
1--WE lett Norfolk about so last night !;
touched at Old Point, took on a few passpn.
gers and proceeded up the Bay. II was a
beautiful starlight night and a strong breeze
was blowing from the north. retired at l |
p. M. and ever, thing was quiet until | % a.
| m. AT this hour | was awakened by hearing
my whistle blown once. l Immediately rose
and run into the pilot house, and instantly
heard a steamer blow two whistles close
aboard. l looked out the port window of the
pilot house and saw all the lights of steamer
steering ,quarely for us. Gave the order
hard a-port, and was told by the wheesman
that it was SO already. Then in hopes of
steesing her stern off. gave the order hard
a-starboard' but in ave seconds before this
order could be executed, we were struck amid
ships, the colliding steamer going into our
port paddle box and smashing large hole in
he port side. from which the Louisiana filled
mp rapidly. The donkey engines were put To
FORK at their full capscity, but they had nc
# ct on the leak. Endravored to work ,h.
main engine, hut found il hau been jammed
ire. We were thus rendered helpless. !
called the crew To quarters, cleared away tn.
boats and began lowering them to take off the
passengers. Al this time the Louisiana had
cetween ard feet of water III the hold |
hailed the collidng steamer, which proved 10
be the Falcon, and requested her to remain
by US.
The Falcon Immediately came alongside
aud all the passengers and aaggsge wer.
transferred to that steam A hauser
then passed to the Falcon that she nigh, TOW
US to shoal water. | went down to examin,
the leak again and found the water inins
rapidly, with TO 3 feet in the hold, and saw
that We could not be towed more than half
mile hrfore sinking. We endeavored then L.
save az much as possible Of tie furniture of
the main saloon, which We did by working all
hands. Shortly afterwards the hawser parted
and the Louisiana went down by the head in
ll2 feet of water"
At the time of the collision the Louisiana
was steaming IA miles an hour, aud the Fall
con 10 10 All the passengers. mail, ex.
press matter and baggage were saved Among
the passengers were three ladies'. Commo-
iores Patterson and Crosby, Cartains b
Creighton, W. G Temple, ii. C. Blake and
A. W. johnson, Lieut.. w. II Emory of the
United States N Ivy ard Capt. Nc rilton of the
United States Marine Corps, of the Court
Martial at Norfolk. iuquirng into the ground
ing of the steamer Brooklyn.
All the passengers OF the Louisiana, in
GLIDING the ladies, conducted themselves
with The greatest GOODNESS and self possession.
The Louisiana was the favorite steamer Of
The Bay line, of 1900 tons burthen and valued
At $50 600, with no insurance. Her cargo
which was lost consisted of 200 bales cotton.
u large qusntity of tobacco. 80 tons pig iron
and other freight. The Falcon, with the
passengers of the Louisiana, returned to
Baltimore, arriving shortly after o'clock.