Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-11-29
srEAMERs IN COLLISION.
Tn. Decatur ~. Miller ssnh "A sudden crass
In she Cbesayeake.

The Decatur ~. btittrr -e"H - '"S''s - ~ - y"
In she Chesapeake.
The Baltimore Sus Of yesterday says:
The steamship Decatur II. Miller, Captain
CLARK. which sailed from this port about
Z. aO O'Clock Yesterday afternoon Tor Boston
y;a Norfolk, was sunk about one-haH mile
from the mouth Of the lower Craighili
channel at $50 O'Clock by collision with
the steamship William Lawrence, captain
Hooper.
Roth vessels belong TO the Merchants and
Miners Transportation Company. The Law
renee was bound from Savannah. The
LAWRENCE, II Is said. blew one whistle.
which was 10 20 10 starboard. This was
answered by one whistle from the Miller.
Then the Miller, il j. stated. blew twice,
which called for the Lawrence 10 pass TO
the portside. The Lawrence then an
swered with one whistle again, which in
dictated that the captain was going 10 pass
10 stsrboard, for which he first blew. The
engines OF the two vessels were then re-
yersed AZ full speed, but did not prevent a
collision, which occurred in very short
time. The Lawrence struck the Miller bow
on inst forward OF the fore-rirging. cut
ting through and making bolc In her
side from The top 10 below water-line. Jne
bow Of the Lawrence was stove in. but she
did not leak, on account OF her forward
watertigbt bulkbead.
As soon as the vessels cleared the Miller
settled forward aud the Lawrence came 10
anchor. Captain Hooper lowered the boats
OF the Lawrence and nj once set OF FOR the
Miller. There were four passengers on the
Miller-two gentlemen and two ladies'
who were at once sent on board the Law
renee.
The Miller was about fifteen minutes set
Ting. She lays about one hall mile from the
mouth OF lower Craighill channel in four
fathoms Of water. Her quarterback is lust
clear Of the water. aud the deck from amid
ships forward is covered about one foot.
She lies in an easy position. and can be
raised without any extraordinary trouble.
As soon as the passengers were on board
the Lawrence mattresses and bed-clothes in
the state-rooms on deck were transferred 10
the same vessel. The steamship Johns
Hopkins, OF the same line, bound TO ProvI-
dence, came alongside the wreck about
O'Clock, but her assistance was not needed.
The crew were placed on board the Law
renee. but the officers Of the Miller stayed
on board TO care for matters. As all her
houses are on deck, the officers will be com
foriably situated until to-day.
The anchor-cables OF the Lawrence had
TO be cut. her bow being so badly damaged
as to prevent the hosting OF them up. They
were buoyed. Captain Clark of the Miller,
came up on the Lawrence 10 report the dis
aster.
just as soon rs the collision occurred all
the crew went TO their stations. The ut
most system prevailed in every movement.
and there was not one bit OF excitement
The passengers took matters with great
calmness. and none Of them seemed 10 real
iZe any danger from the position. The
Miller had 4 small cargo on board. none OF
which was saved. The men lost every
thing but what they had on. The Law
renee was nearly tlled with cargo. and had
on deck 5000 boxes OF Florida oranges.
The Decatur II. Miller is nm IRON steam.
ship OF 1896 tons register. She was built
in Wilmington. Del, in 1870. by Harlan X
IIollingsworth, and named after one OF the
directors OF the company. The Miller has
held the honor of being the flagship Of
the Merchants and Miners finest fleet Of
steamers.
The William Lawrence i also iron. She
was built in South Boston, and i OF j1G.Sl
ions register.