New-York tribune., 1885-09-20
NO EXCUSE FOR A COLLISION
THE REPUBLIC AND AURANIA CRASH

THE KEPUBLlC RETUkNS TO POhl.
When the steamship Republic, now running
the Inman Line, left pier in Jersey City ycstor-
day afternoon she half hour behind her sdver
tised time Gre adjoining pier had caused the
delay and It after 1:30 O'clock
when sne turned her PROV toward the
Bay. Hundreds of and women from the pier waved
farewels othsr friends. The Aurania, Of the Cunard
Line, started from her pier No. 40 North River at 1880
and both vessels moved swiftly down the
stream. The Aurania was some distance IN
the at the start, but when both
vessels were under headway she gained
rapidly the Republic and passed her on Castle 6ar
den The Republic increasing her speed, hsweter,
and when her passengers that she overhaalne
the Aurana elaod with the thought that sac
could 60 after al The Republic again took tho
lead down the Bay, but It was soon. seen that the
Cunarder playing with the Inman vessel. After
falling short distance behind, the Aurana started up
again and easily passed the Republic on Upper Quaran
tine The Republic steadily pursued her along th0
ship channel and those board wondered at the con-
duct OF the Aurana when she fell behind once more.
Captain living of the Republic knew that his vessel
had chance with craft having record for speed like
the Auania and declined to make any with her. A
they neared the bar Sandy Hook the Aurana up
again. heading 20 the southeast directly the line OF
the Republic.
She can't be going TO cross now observed Captain
Irving to the pilot 1t would be foolhardy trick ~
such close quarters"
shouldn't think she would" replied the pilot, but
she 10 be getting along lively can't cot much
further over. for Eve already thei line of the
channel"
The Aurana was then advancing at a swift pace and
the two vessels approaching each other rapidly.
The Republic kept its along the channel at the
rate OF about fourteen miles hour and tho
Cunarder drew the pilot OF the Inman steamer
sent out several sharp warning whistles A large
group Of the cabin passengers were gathered on
the after deck OF the Republic. few scattered
the vessel and many Of the steerage passengep
watched the cose approach OF the two steamers. The
sky clear and the smooth and the movements Of
the vessels plainly from Sandy Hook and
watched with interest. The Aurania pushed acros(
the line OF Republic until her purpose beyond a
doubt Captain Irving seeing tae.danger rang to stop
the engines OF his steamer and reverse them. The
Aurania had already entered the line OF his
and II lie bad continued at the rate OF speed the
RsI public have struck the other steamer amidshpa
The Republic gldei Oh with her momentum checked By
the reversal OF the engines The Aursla shooting
rapidly the track of the Republic, veering slightly
as II Just apprsed OF her own danger. She seemed
almost TO have cleared the risk the prov of the
Republic struck on her port side glancng somewhat but
with crash that Jared every fibre In both OF theyesses
gidea M bey ond further danger The Republic careenins
from tho shock was thrown back with Jar that threw
playing en- the deck rolled down against tho
railing. In another moment the passengers who had
the part OF the steamer ran wfly forward to learn
the OF the shock comparatively few knew what
situation aud saw that the danger had passed,
and their calmness quickly restored confidence.
Cunard vessel when the real state of affairs
to be mo Captain "a s ITs msss ID 0d dhss
1t badly broken and bent above water The hawse-
crushed out Of shape further examination showed
that the steamer was leaking somewhat There was
S@a ~S. OE""sAs @ forward and slipped
against leakage, the extent OF which could not be
ascertained.
deep dent could be near her stern where the bow
Of the Republics struck boat was lowered aud from
a careful examination was being made OF the Aurania
than half an hour was occupied By the Republic in ads
sng the over her bow before she started bace
H0 ic was stsamns up the North River to her pier.
stem Of the vessel on which the full contact came for
two feet above the @ water line was badly bad twisted The
plates started and bent for ten feet from the point
instructions were given that all the passengers whq
desired might remain the steamer. where they would
be cared for and would be made of
them TO sal early in the week IN the City OF Chester
which arrived yesterday morning
lso1 Condemned Without the action OF the o
fcers on tho Aurania There was no e1euss.
by the foolish action Of the Cuuard people Captain
Irving officers OF the Republic, ft said,
maned perfectly calm throu ghout and did nothing 70
bring about tho collision 90 can't imagine what waa
the matter captain the pilot Of the Aurania,
said William Hall. a Brooklyn merchant "ft looked to
me II somebody was drunk. have crossed sxteen
times the Inman Line and never saw such shameful
ronduct as Cunard officers displayed to-day" r.
W. Adams, OF Newark, said that no was reading
on the deck and had seen tho Auranla
raise ss O eve, and he a Ssr coming
on top OF them pure recklessness. seems
me-" he continued. for she had been ahead OF US and
need not have fallen back" II. Leeming OF Scotland.
aud several OF his friends who TO this country
short time ago with the English bieyclists, cons
demned in severe terms the Aurania's officers.
"It will take weeks repair this damage" sai&
Captain Irving TO TRIBUNE reporter. 81 did all thaf
course in the main ship channel, and I warned the
Aurana OF her danger by tho whistle and tried q
cheek my own steamer whom saw that the Aurani9
persisted In crossing my bows. IL had not should
have cut her In with little damage to our ship
The pilot of the Republic Charles Foster Of boao
No. o. In reply 70 questions put to him he said I'VE
were rods east by southeast OF tho Nankfn
Buoy struck We had the right OF way and blew
two whistles OF warning. kept to the port side a.
far dared to keep from running aground, but tho
Aurana doomed right ahead our bows In spite OK
everything"
large number In the steerage The Re-
public had board one hundred cabin pas
sengers and large number in the sseerage. Among
Barritt r. Beresford II. Bedingned. Thomas Barring,
Colonel Robert Barring A. Billing, Cyril Cunard the
Rev ST. A. Duke. A. c. Fairweather, E. A Ford, Bsron.
ess Hey King. Charles dc Lomene Mr.. and Mrs H. q.
McVickar. the Rev. Hugh II. McCabe the Rev. De.
Nevin, c. 9. Reinhart aud ". H. Tunley.