Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-12-08
PERILs OF THE SEA.
A Collision Between Two Steamers-A
Narrow Escape from Disaster.

0NtfkO" GSSaPS AoiA D'"os~'-
New YORK, December THE French
steamship La Champagne, which sailed
from this port for Havre at noon on
Saturday, returned to her dock at the
foot of Morton street At noon to-day,
having been in collision at $50 this
morning with the freight steamer Lis
bonez, bound TO Brooklyn from Rio
Janeiro. La Champagne lost piece of
her stern, about ten feet long and three
| feet wide; also the water line. The ac-
cident occurred about two miles south
of Sandy Hook. The stem of the La
Champagne struck the stern of the Lis
bonez and both vessels escaped serious
injury. No person was hurt.
After the collision the LiSbonez pro-
ceeded to her dock in Brooklyn. Cap
tain Boyer, of the La Champagne, gave
the following version of the affair;
eve sailed at noon on Saturday with
449 cabin and Steerage passengers. We
had pilot and the tug assistance,
Captain Parker, to lead us out to sea,
because the weather was very foggy.
On the way out we passed the Etruria.
We went out through the main channel
and shortly after o'clock this morning
we sighted the Lisbonez coming
toward us quite speedily. We
were going at half speed and had
to keep going, as the channel is but 200
feet wide. and we would be washed
ashore if we stopped. Our pilot sig
nailed the other vessel that we would
cross her bow, we having the right OF
way. saw that if she persisted in her
course and cont nucd at the same speed
we would cut her down amidship. The
vessels approached each other steadily,
and finally came together, La Cham
pagne's bow striking the other vessels
stern, but owing To the leSSened speed
of my ship, without doing any very
serious damage. 1t was very dark at
the time, but the fog had cleared and
the stars were shining"
Pilot II. A. Deverc, who had charge
of La Champagne corroboratcd Captain
| Bowers statement in every particular,
adding: For moment | thought either
vessel must cut the other in two. 1t Is
my opinion that the captain OF the Lis
bonez was alone to blame"
Captain Parker, OF the tug which as
sisted, was close to the scene of the ac'
cident. also says that the fault lay with
the Lisboncz. Although La Champagne
had drawn no water, and was
in no danger, Captain Boyer de
tcrmined to return 10 port and
take no chances. When the vesse
reached her pier, the general agent OF
the line told the passengers to consider
the ship their home until Wednesday
when La GaScogne would take them on
their voyage. La Champagne will go oil
the dry dock tomorrow. The paSsen
gers were all asleep when the collision
occurred, and bnt few were awakened
so slight was the shock. There was ne
excitement.
The Lisbonek is lying at Martir
street. Brooklyn. Her commander
Capt. King, said in regard TO the COLL
sion: I'VE took on pilot about iifteer
miles off Sandy Hook. The weather wa
calm. and we proceeded ut full speed
When we sighted the French steamer
our pilot signalled we will port an
not sure of the reply. 1t was the III
Champagne's duty to keep out OF oul
way. The current was against Us, anf
the Frenchman struck us on the por'
side. about twenty-five feet forward o
the stern. The La Champagne'S noS'
crashed into our side about four feet
broke off, grazed few feet further
and then the vessels separated. thinI
the French steamer was wholly In th'
fault
The Lisbonez has gaping hole
20 feet long and 10 feet wide, just Tor
ward Of the stern. The sharp nose o
the French steamer stood in one corne
OF the ships wine closet, and attached
to ii was section of plating about tel
feet square. The lower edge OF th'
hole Is about two feet above the waite
line. Captain King said that he coul'
give no idea Of the amount of the dam
age. 1t will take ten days TO make re
. DairS