Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-05

A SERIOUS COLLISION IN HAMPTON RoADs-A LARGE
POTOMAC RIVER STEAMER FoUNpERED-THB PAS

SERIOUS COLLISION IN HAMILTON RoADs-A LARGE
POTOMAC RIVER STEAMER F0uNDERED-THB PAS
sENGKBs ALL RESCUED
The steamer Excelsior OF the Potomac Steam
boat line, plying between Washington and Nor
folk, was sunk last evening little after six o'clock
In Hampton Roads, having been injured in a COLL
sion with the tug Fortune, attached to the Ports
mouth, Va, navy yard. The collision, but for the
proximity OF the vessels to the shore. might have
resulted I'm serious loss Of life AS the steamer
Excelsior was about . mile and half from Old
Point wharf Capt Baldwin saw large steam
tug approaching. The usual signals were given
TO indicate the course, but no attention appar-
emily was paid to them. Seeing a collision was
Imminent, Capt Baldwin gave another signal,
stopped the Excelsior and backed her. The tug,
which proved to be the Fortune, from the navy
yard, came on at full speed striking the Excelsior
edge. The officer In charge OF the Fortune asked
II the Excelsior wanted assist ance and was told |:
Yes; stand by" as the vessel was in sinking
condltion. Capt Baldwin at once put on all steam
and headed for Hampton bar, about half a mile
distant, and, fortunately, reached IL before she
settled She was run aground and sunk In few
minutes As soon as the crash of the collision was
heard. the officers OF the Tennessee, Vandalia and
Alliance, which were anchored in the immediate
vicinity, at once had boats lowered and nut off to
me sinking steamer, and assisted In bringing the
passengers ashore, most OF whom took the steamer
for Baltimore at O'Clock. The Fortune Is
powerful tug OF BOG tons, attached to the Norfolk
yard.
OFFICERS AND CREW OF THE EXCELSIOR
The Excelsior was commanded by Capt Theo.
Baldwin, with Samuel Walters and Sidney Lane
mates; James O'Donnel, chief engineer; p.
ODonnell, James Filon and John White, assis-
tants, and with the crew and others there were
ABOUT thirty-five persons employed on her, all of
them, with the exception Of Capt Baldwin, whose
residence Is New Haven, Connecticut, are of
this city.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE STEAMER.
The Excelsior was built by Harlan and Holling-
worth Co. OF Wilmington, Del, In $780, and was
intended tOrun betweenWashington and QUantico,
stopping at Shepherds to land cars to connect
with the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. She cost
about $4,000. She was about $50 feet long, E5
feet beam. When she arrived here she excited
much admiration. her saloon being 200 feet long
and 20 feet wide, with state rooms to the number
or NIFTY, all finished and furnished I'm the finest
~, WIN every modern convenience. Last fall
she was changed from transfer boat to a regular
passenger steamer, being closed in stem and stern
ana was regarded as one OF the handsomest pieces
OF marine architecture afiOat this side OF Pbadel-
phia. Mr.. w. p WEIGH, tue agent OF the Potomac
company. the owners, received a telegram last
night announcing the fact of the collision. This
morning the agent ut Norfolk was Instructed to
mare the Baker Wrecking Company take charge
THE FREIGHT OF THE EXCELSIOR.
capt L. Nj. Hndgins, the general superintendent
or the line, left this morning for Hampton, and
VIII reach there tonight. The Excelsior was
heavily laden, having the freight OF two Boston
steamers, much OF it for District merchants. and
u avoid any delay the agent at Norfolk has been
instructed to have the freight transferred to the
Lady or the Lake. which leaves tonight Mr. ChaS
Chduncey, the president of the company in Phila-
aelphIa VIII go down tonight by the bay line
from Baltimore.
STEAMER TO TAKE THE PLACE OF THE EXCELSIOR
The steamer Georgeanna. of Baltimore Will be
pu' on the Potomac S. b. Co.'S line between this
city and Norfolk, to take the place OF the steamer
hxceislof she VIII make her first trip Thursday