Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-08-01
COLLISION ON THE BAY.
Life Prese, vers Distributed and tb'
KOals Prepared Tor oervtce-Nar

a COLLISION ON tn 70 BAY
Life Preset vers Distributed aud the
Boats Prepared Tor servtce-Nar-
royv Escape of the schoOner's
Creyv-The story of "a Passenger.
There was an exciting collision in the
Delaware bay early sunday morning,
which by q tortuitous combination OF
circumstances passed off without loss OF
life, but in all other respects was thrill.
ing in tho extreme. The collision
occurred shortly after 8 O'Clock between
the steamer William Whiildin, of the
Ericsson Line, and the three .masted
schooner Rillie 3. Derby, cosl.iaden,
bound from PHILADELPHIA to Newburyport.
The Whilldin left Baltimore at O'Clock
on Saturday evening, bound for Cape
May via the Chesapeake and Delaware
canal, with between so and 100 passsn-
gers aboard. TIE voyage from the
Chesapeake to the Delaware was made
without incident, and about 80 O'Clock
Sunday morning 1.-THE Whilldin passed
through the canal locks at Delaware City
and starte down the Delaware river for
Cape May.
A thick fog prevailed which, added to
the inky darkness, made it difficult for
length ahead. Suddenly lights were seen
forward directly in the steamers path.
They were those of the schooner Derby,
which had come to anchor directly in
the channel Just above Collins Beach
and otf Dutch Island Flats.
Before the steamers engine could be
| reversed the crash came, aud the steam
vessel struck the schooner squarely on
| "a aida hat the and
amidships, cutting gap through which
the water poured in q torrent. The
schooner, laden with 800 tons OF coal,
immediately began to sink, and Captain
| Taylor and his crew Of seven men barely
had time to take the boats before she
aettled and went down In about 80 feet OF
water The captain and crsw escaped to
the Whilldin. On board of the steiner
the most intense excitement prevailed.
The passengers we're asleep in their
! state rooms, and on being aroused by the
| shock Of the collision seized their clothes
and rushed wildly on deck.
Their speed was accelerated and their
excitement increased BY the appearance
OF the paraer, who rushed through the
cabin, calling on everybody to go above.
On deck the crew stood ready to man the
! bOH'H huu MI lhN pnb'thbOAS hI'HPu ihO
prsservers in readiness for any emergency
that might arise. Captain Foster Of the
Whilldin, made an examination as soon
as possible, aud found that while bis
vessel was badly shattered. she was not
Toured below thu water line, and could
be- kept shoat without diff ,ulty.
Upon being thus treasured the half
clad passengers on the upper deck re-
| nlA orl ~ that
returned to their besths. The WhilIdir
steamed up to the Wilmington & North
ern railroad pier below Wilmington
where she left those of her passenger,
vino desired to proceed to Cape May or
the steamer Republic, and then returned
to Baltimore. Some of the passenger,
declined TO 90 to Cape May aud came Il
this city, subsequently returning to Balti
more By rail.
A PASSENGERS STATEMENT.
T. Irving Rothel of Baltimore, q pas.
senger on the Whillden, gave the follow
ing account of the collision TO GAzErrl
reporter
"we left Baltimore at O'Clock, sstur,
day evening, with between 80 and Ion
passengers for Cape May. We CANT
through the Chesapeake q Deiawar'
canal, and steamed out into the Della
ware, at Delaware City, at l 80 O'Clock
Sunday morning. II was dark and foggy
The collision occurred about 8 Is O'Clock
aud IL caused shock that tumbled tn,
passengers out OF their berths and sen
them flying up on deck to learn what WA
the matter. None stopped to dress
though some grabbed their outer gar
ments in their arms as they ran upoi
| = -. e. LII. alA
went through the cabin, calling all hand
on deck, and this served to increase tn
, fear of the passengers. Captain Foste
: and the officers OF the Whilldin behaved
! admirably. Life prSservers were dis
tributed aud tue hands were ordered t,
/ be in readiness to lower the boats, bu
. after an examination it was learned tina
3 our boat was not injured below the waite
line. The passengers dressed on deol
, and none returned to their berths. TIL
r schooner's Grew came to the steamer il
( their boat, and they had barely gotte
4 away when the vessel sank. Aftsrward
I tug was hailed, on which the ship
3 wrecked sailors proceeded to Philadel
phia."
Y souARELY IN THE CHANNEL.
1 The sunken schooner lies directly Ii
u the Onhnne', utf mhsls hul Inb Gnu Y
( her bowsprit being above water. Sh
' rests plumb upon an even keel and look
like waterlogged craft. Captain Tal
/; lor OF the Derby after tha collision
q hailed passing tug end after strippin
4 the schooner's masts OF ell sails boarde
4 the tug with his crew and proceeded
Philadelphia. The schooner is not ser
r ously damaged and can be raised for re
!. pairs after the cargo is removed. She
h owned by George W. Shepherd, Jr., c
o Philadelphia and was huiit in 1874.
--@-e-o-
= .sUst the Wan TOR the Energenc.
u Phi adelphia Record.
The suggestion that ex.Secretsry Baysr
! shall scatter the golden corn OF harmon
while the Blue Hen Of Delaware Dem
~ cracy clucks home the cocks of the wa
!. ring factions appears to have BEEN r
y ceived with favor not only in that Sta
but throughout the country. While III
I Bayard's public career has reflected hon'
- upon Delaware, his election as govern'
= would not detract from his fame or