Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-07-31


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T'VvO Steamers HUN Together in
the CheSapsake staV-Throc Killed
Three Fatally hnjurcd and Tea
Missing.
baltimore, July 20 A crowded ex
oursion steamer, the Louise, returning
from Colchester Beach with dancers
whirling in the mezes of u waltz and
! young SWANS whispering soft nothingt
into the ears Of fair companions, las,
night about 8 O'clock crashed into the
Bay Line steamer Virginia at Fort Car
roll. In an instant merriment wag changed
to horror, mud ehrisks filed the air,
RroRns and curses were mingled, peuple
rushed wildly hither ind thither, children
were trampled under feot, strong men
rudeiy pushed aside weak women, all in
an Insane endeavor to get away from
danger. The following is correct list
of the killed, injured and missing:
Killed-Mrs. Oatharine NJ. Keyser,
Charles Oraazer, years; Daniel Koop,
Ii years.
IIjursd-Adolph Miller, probably IA.
tally; Mrs. Msgdslena Ruth, probably
fatally; William q. Oraezsr.
Missing Annie Ruth, IL years; Grace
M. Allison, ~ years; Willie Haas, 8
years; David II. Hitchcock, 20 years;
Lizzie Oraszer, ~ years; Maggie Eller, IS
years; Mrs. Sophie Faber, AZ years; Mrs.
Margaret Oestreiok, so years; Henry
Koop, years; William Beigel, IL years.
CAPTAIN BoHAaNAN's STATEMENT
I steamer Virginia, of tue Bay Line,
is tied up at Union dock, and is dam.
aged TO considerable extent. Her
captain, W. j. Bohannan, made TIE fol-
lowing statement: "We left Canton for
Norfolk at 1853 O'Clock last evening.
When abreast of Fort Carroll we sighted
three-masted schooner bound for Balti-
more little on our port bow. l put
the wheel aport to clear ths schooner.
saw steamer coming up behind
the schooner. The steamer blew two
whistles, starboarded her wheel and
showed her green light broad. imme-
diatsly Btopped and backed the Virginia
full speed, and gave several short blasts
OF my whistle aB q warning or danger
signal to the steamer, which made no re-
ply. conldn't change my courae in re-.
Spouse to the approaching steamel'8 two
whistles, because the schooner was under
my port boy.
''rhe collision occurred about 8.11
o'clock. When we came together the
Louise was struck on the atarboard quar-
ter about the after ganeway. Ih0d very
little Roadway at the time the Louise
struck me. Tho latter boat was then
going at a pretty goo ! clip. had all the
small boats swung out ready for use. 1
hailed the Louise and asked to know il l
could render any assistance. The re-
sponse came back MOI =. Having heard
this L looked after nv own damage.
Finding the stem OF the Virginia twisted
around to the 5tarbosrd Immediately
returned TO Baltimore. This forward com
partment waa filled with water.
There was no excitement 10 speak Of
aboard my ship, l was in the pilot-house
whan the collision occurred, which was
when wo were about minute below Fort
Carroll. When first saw the Louise's
lights she was one mile away. When l
saw her green light turned to my mate,
John Mason, and said, She (the Louise)
capnot CROSS my bow then stopped my
boat, backing st full speed"
When the Louise and the Virginia came
together, Captain Bohsnnan stated, many
people rushed toward the Virginia. One
man, woman and boy climbed upon
the lRtter's deck and were brought to the
Bay Line wharf with the Virginia's SO
other passengers.
Speaking OF his efforts to avoid COL
lision with the Louise, Captain Bohannan
used these words II did all that mortal
man could do to prevent a collision.
have been 20 years in the service, and
would do exactly the same things over
again rs did TO night, for they were ex-
aotly what any other captain would have
done in my position"
No one Of the officers about the Bay
Line wharf could say just what the dam
age to the Virginia would be. Her stem
is badly twisted aud she is considerably
damaged on the port side for some 20 or
80 feet along the bow from the water's
edge up. The passengers OF the Virginia
all left the wharf when the steamer re.
turned. Many OF them were in the cabin
when the accident occurred, others were
at supper, and some few were eye-wtt.
nesses of the collision from the hurricane
deck.