Morning journal and courier., 1888-07-30
STRUCK ny a sUHooNER.
a Collision in Vineyard sound Ne
Lives Lost-The Captains Statement.
VINEYARn HAVEN Mass In1v 2Q-Staam-

a Collision IN Vineyard sound Ne
Lives L0st-The Captains Statement.
VINEYARD HAVEN, Mass. July 29.-Steam-
ship Parthian of the Boston and Philadelphia
line, Captain Nickerson, Philadelphia for
Boston, and schooner Ayr, Of and from st.
John for New York, cargo lumber, collided
near West Chop, Vineyard Sound, about $50
last night during fresh northeasterly wind
and cloudy weather. The ParthiAn was
struck emidship on the port side and was run
aground in this harbor, leaking badly. She
had a full cargo of general merchandise and
hfty-6ve passengers, most of whom were
awakened from sound sleep by the coils
ion, though no panic and but little excite
msnt occurred. A few wanted life preservers,
but were soon quieted by assurances from
the officers of ne immediate danger. Less
than one hour after the disaster the Parthian
was grounded safe and metion1ess in the har-
Dor. All the passengers on board were in
good spirits this morning and were transport
ed to Boston. The vessel was hauled afloat
this afternoon by the tug Confidence. The
leak had been stopped satisfactorily and the
ship was making no water. It was recon-
mended that she proceed to her destination
under her own power. She proceeded at
$50 p. m. for Boston.
The reports of the captains of the colliding
vessels differ considerably as to the cause of
the collision. Captain Nickerson's report to
the Associated Press is az follows: CT made
the schooner's red light on the port bow and
the schooner changed her course by leaving
her wheel starboard, which caused the col
ision. She struck the ship nearly amidships
on her port side, breaking in the plates above
and just below the water line, causing bad
leak in the engineers compartment. The Of
fcers and crew went Immediately at work en-
deayoring to stop the leak with mattresses,
bedding, etc. The Parthian was turned about
as soon as possible to look for the disabled
but finding the ship leaking so bad
1y we were compelled to make for Vine
yard Haven harbor with all possible speed
and she was run aground on the eastern side
near the canal fat. Immediately after all
hands were employed trimming cargo to list
the ship and bring the leak out of water. As
soon as possible the tug Confidence was sent
to the assistance of the schooner and towed
here to safe anchorage at the head of the
harbor Schooner Ayr is badly damaged,
here forecastle deck started up and her whole
bow badly started. She is leaking badly
and pumps are kept constantly at work
to free her. Had she been loaded with any
other cargo but lumber she would have gone
down. The captain has telegraphed the
owners in St. John for advice. The follow
ing is Captain Fowler's report concerning the
collision: 'I was running before north
northeast wind; steering a west-northwest
when I first saw the steamers headlight some
away, dead ahead. I next saw the
steamers green light and kept west by north,
and was steering that course at the time of
the collision. Just before the collision the
steamer suddenly changed her course and
was steering about south when we struck"