Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-11-12
OCEAN STEAMERS
Collide in Dense Fog Just Outside Of
New York.
Acct dent Supposed to Have Resulted
from the Umbria Running at Too
Great Speed.
NEW YORK. Nov. |

New YORK, Nov. IL.
Cunard steamer Umbria, Capt. McCrean,
which sailed hence for Liverpool yesterday
returned at LIS this afternon. During the
dense fog she came into collision with the
French steamer Iberia, Capt. Sagols, from
Bussorah Sept. 20 for New York, striking
her bows on the Umbrla's stem she was
started and hole stove in her starboard
bow. Twelve or fifteen of the Iberia's crew
were picked up by the Umbria and brought
70 this port.
Pilot Sales of the steamer Nasmyth, re-
ports that his pilot boat, Calvin IL. Colt, No.
l3, put a salvage crew of three men on board
the steamer Iberia this morning. The Iberia
lies three miles off the shore directly Oppo-
site Long Beach hotel. She is lying in an
easy po sition and can be towed off by slip
ping her cables with the aid of tugs. She
has about fourteen feet of her stern cut clear
oil Otherwise she is in good condition.
The cargo was examined in the hold and
found to be in splendid condition.
The collision occurred only a short distance
outside of Sandy Hook, and from all reports
was caused by the Umbria going at too great
a speed in the fog. The Umbria reached
discharged the pilot, the weather growing
thicker all the time. By o'clock it was SO
foggy thar the engines were slowed down
TO less than half speed. Shortly after this
the whistle of steamer was heard on the
starboard bow. Capt. McMickan of the
Cunarder answered back anu continued un-
derway, going through the water, as he
says, at at a little more than steerage way.
Al this time they were shut in by the fog and
couldn't see through any further than the
length of the vessel. Suddenly huge
steamer loomed Into view not more than a
hundred yards away. She was headed north
ami just beginning to cross the course of the
big Cunarder.
Capt McMickan says he ordered the en-
gnes stopped and minute or so later he
gave the signal to go astern. The Umbria,
however, continued to keep what headway
she had and presently both vessels collided.
The big bow of the Cunarder struck the
Iberia about twenty feet from the stern and
carved her way though it as if it were made
of paper. The stern section of the Iberia
tioated past the Umoria's star BOARD side and
the main portion of the hull grated past the
port side. As soon as the vessels were
cleared OF each other the boats were low
cred from the Umbria and dispatched to the
disabled vessel. FIRST Officer Glvlott of the
Iberia and few seamen then came to the
Umbria and told Capt. McMickan of the
{ xtent of the injuries TO the Iberia. Both
vessels pointed shorewards and the Umbria
stood by the Iberia TIL they reached point
about tour miles off Long Beach, there the
latter vessel was anchored and the Capt.
and the crew numbering 30 men were trans
ferred 10 the Cunard steamer The Cunard-
er remained by the Iberia all night and until
noon today. Capt. McMickan then
.i.,l l.,
ed by noon tomorrow. The Iberia belongs
to the Faore line and was bound hither from
Persian Gulf loaded vi 18th dried fruits, cof-
fees, hides. etc. The passengers of the
Umbria fatty contradict what the Umbrias
officers say regarding the speed of vessel at
the time of the collision. Some say she
was going at almost full speed.
The Umbria had on board 2l5 cabin, 67
and 421 steerage passengers.
There was great excitement among them but
the good management of the officers pre-
vented any serious panic. Among those on
board were Thomas Barring, banker, Ed
ward Cooper, the Earl of Morbury, Hon.
Boyd Winchester, u. S. minister TO Swift
zerland and a host of others equally well
known.
The Umbria's damaged bulkhead will be
repaired at once. She will probably resume
her voyage tomorrow or Tuesday. Her
agents say she could have proceeded
safely, but tLe captain acted with wise
precaution in returning. Capt Sagols of
the Iberia this evening said that the Umbr.a a
was running at the rate of about IL miles
An hour and came upon the Iberia without
warning, cutting her clean through SO that
about one third of the iberia was cut off aud |
irifted away and sank while the forward
part kept atioat by the air tight compart-
nents.