New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-07
SIGHTSEERS IN PERIL.
A PANIC-STRICKEN SHIPLOAD.
THE STEAMER POMONA RUNS ON A REEF wHILD
GOING TO A YACHTING REGATTA

GOING TO YACHTING REGATTA
ALL RESCUED UNHURT
The steamer Pomona, of the Starin Line, struck
rock yesterday morning in David's Island chan.
neL and sank in about three fathoms Of water.
She had been chartered by the w-Rochello
YACHT Club and it was intended TO carry on
her all the spectators of the clubs
annual regatta. When the steamer left Fast
Thirty-second-st. at 80 o'clock about 200
guests Of the club were aboard The weathee
then gave promise Of every quality which yachtsd
man could expect for a good race. and the people
aboard the Pomona were in high feather. The
steamer was to be steered up beyond Glen Island
by special pilot, but he did not arrive. Tho
captain of the boat, however, undertook TO hold
the wheel through Davids Island channel.
Everything went finely enough. and the string
orchestra aboard was playing its best music, when
suddenly, just off the upper end of David's
Island, on the reef running from the north point,
the steamer struck rock two fathoms down.
The shock was severe enough TO hurl people of
their seats on the hurricane deck. On the prone.
made deck the effect was overwhelming The
vessel leaned over the rock with a groan, and a
moment later the crash Of planking was heard
though the eddying rush OF the waters on the
rocks. The ensuing excitement threw the pas
sengers into panic, and when the United States
ensign with the Union Jack down was bent
on the signal halyards everybody was stricken
with fear.
The regatta committee of the yacht club im-
mediately took charge of the steamer, as the
captain seemed incapable of doing so, and started
the orchestra, which had all the music knocked
ont of it when the boat struck. Weeping women
and crying children surrounded the men, who
al Il ;t I,o L. A.
efforts of p. j. O'Kely and J. d. Gibson, of the
club, that anything like order restored on
board. The steamer listed Immediately after she
struck, and water began pouring into her hold
through big rent in the planldng
on the starboard side of her keel
amidships. The crew were set to work
getting out the lifepreseryers and taking the ash-
ings off the lifeboats and everybody aboard was
sent aft. The signal of distress brought out sev-
eral tugs and steam launches from David's Island,
and as soon as possible they came alongside to take
off the passengers. Tho steamer was sinking
rapidly in spite Of the working of all
the pumps, and the list became more perceptible
every moment. There seemed TO be danger OF
the boat topping over to starboard, and the ner1
vousness of the passengers grew moment by mos
ment until the first tug alongside.
The Regatta Committee held back all men
until the women and children were in safety, and
were on their way to the Government pier on Glen
Island. When everybody who was wild to be
taken off had got ashore there were but two
women aboard, and these two had remained
calm and collected throughout the ordeal. They
were Mrs. MAY Kitson and Miss Vida Croy. of
the Madison Square Company Both remained
until the last moment with half dozen men, who
had also refraned from going ashore before those
more inclined to nervousness. Mrs. Kitson and
Miss Croy were taken of at the last moment in
the little catboat Sadie owned by Messrs. Dun-
ham and Gushing, and sailed by Mr.. Belden!
The Pomona then had seven feet OF water In
her hold Soon after she leaned over more and
more, and sank until the water was within a
foot of her hurricane deck. All assistance was
then of no avail and she had TO be left to her
fate Subsequently a wrecldng boat took hef
In charge, but it is not proabble that she VIII
be raised for a day TWO. 1t was certainly
creditable to the New. Rochelle Yacht Club Of
fcials. headed by Mr.. Gibson, that all on
board were saved with so little apparent
trouble The yachtSmen exhibited great cooness.
and were remarkably successful in restraining the
natural excitement which attends such an occuH
renee.
TIE passengers of the Pomona were later on
taken to the clubhouse of the yacht club, and
there witnessed the start of the regatta. Tho
latter was of course, spoiled to certain degree
bv the accident 10 the club steamer, but consider
ing everything a success. The start, IN Iacts
was one of the finest sights Of the kind ever WIT
messed on the Sound II was made followsi
sCHOONEIiS. SO FEET.