The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-11-26
A CRASH ON THE RIVER.
THE CITY OF MACON KNOCKS A
HOLE IN THE TALLAHASSEE.

Island PO1nt-The Tallahassee Cut
Through Below the Water Line and
Her Lower Hold Flooded-The Mar
rowness OF the River Channel One OF
the Causes of the Collision-The Tai
lahassee's Damage Between $4,000
and S5,OOO-The Macon Supposed TO
be Unhurt-The Survey.
The steamer City of Macon collided with
the Tallahassee opposite Fig Island point
shortly before midnight Saturday, cutting
her to the waters edge.
The City Of Macon left the Ocean Steam
ship compapy's wharves at II O'Clock Satur-
day night for Bostet. Sbe was deeply
loaded and her made her way down the
river very slowly. When she
arrived opposite the Savannah, Florida
and Western railway, the steam
ship Tallahassee was sighted coming
up from sea. When both steamers arrived
ct Fig island point, in the upper end Of the
new cut, they coli3ed, tho City Of Macon
striking the Tsll%hsSsee slapcing blow on
her port side; c0ttisg her to the waller line.
The City Of Macon coatinned on her voy-
nge, the Tallahassee arriving at her wharf
at / o'clock yesterday morning.
CUT hole IN HER SIDE.
The Tallahassee ~es struck By the stem
of tae Macon about 80 fsct aft Of the bow
and Just forward of the forward hatch,
cutting hole about feet on her uppor
deck, and badly deuting her plates betWeoA
decks On the recoil Of the two vessels tbe
CITY of Macons stem again struck
the Tallahassee Just abaft tee foTehatch
about 60 feet from the bow and below tbs
water line, breaking through one plate aud
leaving hole about inches wide, through
which the water poured into tie lover hol1
There was no cargo in this hold which could
be damaged by fresh water, TIE cargo there
consisting of Railroad iron. The split in thc
vessels plates was o slight that the small
quantity OF water that 1t admitted allowed
tne ships pumps to keep the hold free with
cut difficulty. The joiner work OF tho fore
castle aud Storage quarters was broken in
for some distance.
CAUSE OF THE COLLISION.
The causes of the collision can only be
ascribed TO the narrow channel The
collision occurred in a spot where vessels
have frequently gone ashore on account OF
the slightest refusal to answ er their helms. !
The place is what is called New cut or New
channel Toward the end there is a very
short turn, which makes it difficult |
matter for deeply laden vessel TO respond |
to her wheel quickly. The night was very |
clear. 1t is evident that the Macon was |
sighted by the Tallahassee first, for when |
The collision took place the Tallahassee |
was backing, sboth vessels having |
exchanged signals. II is owing to this fact |
that so little dsmage WAS done to the two |
vessels. The estimated damage to the Tai |
1ahAsSee by q Wellkrcwn sAlp carpenter |
will foot up between 81, 900 and s. Goa |
Capt Fisher stated that 81 500 would cover
The damage. G. G.. Anderson, agent of the
company, said the damage could not DO
stated until q full examination is made.
The small patch about Is inches long, be-
low the water line, be said, would be
finished last night. and that the ship viii
leave on her schedule time tomorrow.
THE MACON GONE TO SEA.
The extent Of the damage if any, to the
City of Macon could not be ascertained, as
she continued on to sea- but it is not be-
heVed that she was hurt much. Both cap
tains will make report OF tho collision in
writing to General Manager Sorrel when ali
investigation will be had.
Capt. Fisher called bull survey on his
vessel yesterday morning.. The board con-
sisted Of Messrs. b. II. Willink, master
shipCarpenter; James 7. Stewart, LloydS'
agent; II. I. Bolts, underwriters agent; and
one port warden. They were accompanied
by G. G.. Anderson agent Of the line, and
Capt Fisher.
On examination they found in the lower
bold ono beam on the port side broken and one
frame bent. On the outside one plate was
broken through and one badly bent. Be
tween decks one frame was broken and a
beam started. Two plates were badly bent
and chafed. On the upper does one plate
YVES broken. The plank shear deck plate
and two deck beams were also broken and
bent and the joiner work for about twenty
feet was broken in. The board recon-
MeDded that temporary repairs be made to
insure the safety Of the ship on her next
voyage TO New York. final survey will
be held this morning.
A PASSENGERS STORY.
A passenger on the Tallahassee said: 81
was about to lose my head when Capt.
Fisher set me right by telling me to go back
TO my room; that there was no trouble.
The vessel was at a standsill, waiting for
the Macon to pass by when the collision
occurred. The moon was shining
brightly and the great long
shadows from the Macon, as she
steamed down the river, attracted the ad-
miration of the passengers who happened
10 be up, until the steamer passed the point
where she should have turned She made
10 turn, but steamed right toward u.s.
There was moving about among the
crew, and the Tallahassee began to back
Somebody shouted "Collision!" and there
was stampede to the deck. A moment later
the Macon had struck us heavy blow on the
port side. had never before been where
there was any immediate danger, and as
the two huge steamers came together, |
clapped my hands to my eyes expecting to
be dashed headlong into the river. The
shock was pretty severe, but it was all over
in a seconds time.n
CAPT. FISHERS STATEMENT.
Capt. Fisher laughed when asked about
the collision. at did not amount TO much,
he said. 1.-The passengers were not much
alarmed. In fact they did not have time TO
be. The Macon blew for us. We answered
the signal and veered to the right in the
channel and stopped for her to pass She
was il the channel, and had evidently lost
control Of herself and was unable to steer
cut. It was one of those unfortunate acct
dents that will happen sometimes when we
least expect them. The Tallahassee will be
all right for the trip tomorrow"
When the collision occurred some OF the
Storage passengers were thrown from their
berths but none were injured One Of the
cabin passengers, bound for Florida,
in his excitement left package
Of four hats i'll the room he occupied, and,
judging from the telegram received from
HIM last night, he has not entirely recovered
from the scare. The message read: Estate
Room A-Express at once to me at -"
WINTER WINDS BLOWING.