The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-24

New YoRK, Oct 23.-The steamer Atlas,
OF the Atlas line, bound for Port Lemon,
having left that port on the 18th inst,
was sunk this evening of Vesey street.
The steamer was struck on the starboard
bow by the ferry-boat Central, and ten
minutes later the Atlas sank. The ferry
boat struck the steamer bow on. The only
things 10 be seen Of the sunken vessel are
the topmasts and tunnels.
The Atlis was coming up the river Mt q
slow pace. The steamer was about 300 yards
ont from the docks. When oil Liberty
street both vessels collided. There was
heavy fog The bow OF the Central crashed
into the Atlas and bent the iron plates
like 30 many pieces OF board. For q
second or two the Atlas tremblcd and
listed, and then began to sink bow first, so
that soon the propeller was out Of the
water. When the collision occurred all
hands on board the Atlas were ordered on
deck. The engineer obeyed the summons
without stopping the engine; the propeller
whirlod round aud round in the air. In
this position the steamer remained for
about five minutes. Tho vessel then
plunged forward and went, down APP
parently settling on an easy keel.
AS the steamer began to sink the crew
and all hands took TO the rigging. just at
this juncture a tugboat steamed alongside
and took of all ON board. The tugboat
Eisnori was but a short distance away
from both vessels when the collision &C.
Cured, and Mate Emor, in speaking Of
the accident, said ii was impossible TO tell
which OF the vessels was in lault ~ IL was
difficult TO SEQ clearly more than 200
yards, 10 dense was the Toy that hung low
over the river.
Later ON another serious accident was
only averted by great care. When IL
grew dark vessel bound up tho river
nearly ran into the sunkcn steamer, there
being no danger lights displayed from the
Atlas. Capt. j. W. Tobin. commander Of
the Atlas, aud pilot George Sampson, who
brought the vessel into port, were seen ut
the office OF Forward * Co., agents OF the
line. Capt Tobin, who Is n short, thick set
aud bronze laced inan, said: 1T was about
$3.50 o'clock this afternoon when we were
coming up and reached the Liberty street
ferry. There were upon the bridge my
self, Pilot SIMPSON and Capt Barrett, Of
the tug Goodwin, which was tied mp along
side aud was to put M Ia the dock. just
before reaching the ferry AZ Liberty street
the fcrryboat Central came ont OF the slip.
Whrn she saw us she stopped IN answer
TO our whistles. Then she started ahead
and struck rs about twenty feet forward Of
the bridge on the starboard side
Yes interrupted Pilot Sampson.
"whcn | saw the fcrrybOat coming out Of
the slip rang for the engines to be slowed
up, aud the steamer was almost stopped.
Just then the icrryboat started 10 70
ahead, and | gave two whistles twice.
Despite tina, the ierryboat came on and
struck Us.
1--WE went ahead" resumed Capt.
Tobin, "ior about five minutes, aud the
ship went down. We have thirty men in
our crew, and il was Just ~ much ~ they
could do 20 get over ;he side OF tho vessel
into the tugboat."
Tho Atlas had u cargo Of 1900 lunches
OF bananas, 100 tons Of logwood and other
miscellaneous freight.
Capt, Curtis WIS la charge Of the Cen
| trail when SHE started ON her AGA o'clock
! trip from Commuuicupaw, The Tcrry OF.
! lCiils are rciiccnt about the accident, but
claim that the Atlas was az fault. The
| wheels ~ the Central wcro reversed when
she struck the steamer oli the stnrboard
bow and crushed in the iron side of the
.lll..s The bow ruddcr 81 the Central
vas broken aud her rails were damaged.
She proceeded 30 CommunicppaW, where
she was laid up for repairs. No one was
hurt.
In the morning another accident had oc.
cured 10 the irrry.bolt whom she ran into
aud smashed the bridge on the Jersey
side when landing after u cro,s-thc-riycr
trip.