Evening journal., 1889-07-29
RUN DOWN ON THE BAY.
A Passenger steamer Sinks a Schooner
Near ColIins's Beach.

There was an exciting collision in the
Delaware bay early yesterday morning,
which by a foltuitous combination Of
circumstances passed of without loss Of
life, but In all other respects was thrill
ing in the extreme. The collision occur
red shortly after 3 o'clock between the
steamer William Whilldin, of the Erics
son Line, and the three-masted schooner
Rillie s. Derby, coal laden, bound
from Philadelphia TO Newburyport The
Whill6in left Baltimore at . o'clock on
Saturday evening, bound for Cape May
via the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal,
with between eighty and 100 passengers
aboard. The voyage from the Chesapeake
4 to the Delaware was made without Incl
dent, and about 130 o'clock yesterday
morning, the Whilldin passed through the
canal locks at Delaware City and started
down the Delaware river for Cape May.
A thick fog prevailed, which, added TO
the iDly darkness, made IL difficult for
the steamers lookout to see boats S
length ahead Suddenly lights were seen
forward directly in the steamers path
They were those Of the steamer Derby
which had come to anchor directly in the
channel lust above Collins's Beach and off
Dutch Island Flats
Before the steamers engine could be
reversed the crash came, and the steam
vessel struck the schooner squarely on
the port side between the bow and amid.
ships, cutting gap through which the
water poured IN a torrent. The schooner,
laden with 600 tons Of coal, Immediately
began to sink, and Captain Taylor and
his crew Of seven men barely had time "a
take to the boats before she settled al
went down in about thirty feet of water
On board of the steamer the most intens,
excitement prevailed. The passenger:
! were asleep in their state rooms, and OF
i being aroused by the shock Of the coli
! sion sezed their clothes and rushed
/ wildly on deck.
Their speed was accelerated and theii
r excitement increased by the appearance
of the purser. who rushed through thi
cabin. calling on everybody to go above
Y On deck the crew stood ready TO man thu
4 boats, and all the passengers seized life
r preservers in readiness for any emer
J, gency that might arise. Captain Foster
!; of the Whilldin, made an examination a
d soon as possible, and found that Will
q his vessel was badly shattered. she wa
t not injured below the water line AM
N could be kept ahoat without difficulty
1
clad passengers on the upper deck re
It sumed their clothing, and most OF ther
Il returned to their berths. The Whilldii
a steamed up to the Wilmington an
Northern Railroad pier below Whining
is ton, where she left those Of her passer
,r gers who desired to 60 to Cape May o
ot the steamer Republic, and then returne
D. to Baltimore.
The sunken schooner lies directly
ct the channel, her masts end the end
in her bowsprit being above water. 81
be rests plumb 1pon an even keel, and lool
ct like water logged craft. Captain Ia
Id lor Of the Derby, after the collision halle
ad passing tug, and, after stripping Il
or schooners masts Of al sails, boarded L
of tug with his crew and proceeded
VS. Philadelphia. The schooner is not I
riously damaged and can be raised
ws repairs after the cargo is removed
lot Philadelphia Record.