The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-12-08
STEAMERS IN COLLISION.
a Narrow Escape From Heavy Loss
of Life.

A Narrow Escape From Heavy Loss
of Life.
NEW York, Dec. 7.-The French steam;
ship La Champagne, from this port for
Havre, and the British steamer Lisbonense,
from Para to this port, collided two miles
cast of Sandy Hook at $50 o'clock this
morning. No lives were lost, and as far as
known no person was injured. Good sea-
mani hip and prompt action prevented what
would in all probability have been a terrible
disaster. AS it is both vessels lie at their
docks, one with a big hole in her bow and
the other with a bigger hole in her port
quarter and with about ten plates OF tho
other vessel stuck in her side. Three thou
sand dollars will repair the injuries to both
steamships.
STORIES OF THE CAPTAINS.
The story of the accident was obtained
from the captains of both steamers Capt
Louis Boyer of La Champagne was seen In
his stateroom on the ship after she returned
to her pier. He made the following state
ment: 1--WE sailed at noon Saturday, with
449 cabin and storage passengers. We had
pilot and the tug Assistance, Capt.
Parker, to lead us out to sea, because the
the way out we passed the Etruria
We went out through the main
channel, and shortly after 5 o'clock this
morning we sighted the LisbouenSe coming
toward us quite speedily. Her route lay
through the sea channel. 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. 1t was SO
dark that | could only make out the lights
and ou line Of the other ship.
THE SIGNALS.
we would cross her bow, we having the
right of way. Tho other vessel, much to
our surprise, answered that she would cross
our bow. | saw that IL she persisted in her
course, and continued at the same speed,
we would cut her down amidships.
l relieved the pilot and gave
the signal to stop my ship. The vessels
approached each other steadily and finally
came together, the La Champague's bow
striking the other vessels stern, but, owing
| to the lessened speed OF my ship, without
very dark at the time, but the fog had
cleared and tho stars were shining"
THE BLAME ON THE LISBONENSE.
Pilot H. a. Devere, who had charge OF
the La Champagne, corroborated Capt.
Boyer's story in every particular, adding
For moment thought either vessel must
cut the other in two. Ny opinion is that
the captain OF tho Lisbonense is alone to
blame"
Capt. Parker of the tug Assistance. which
was close to the scene of the accident, also
says thet the fault lay with the Lisbonense.
Although the La Champagne was drawing
no water and was in no danger, Capt Boyer
determined to return to port and take NO
chances.
HOME FREE OF EXPENSE.
When the vessel reached her pier A.
Forgetr, general agent of the line, told the
passengers to consider the ship their home
until Wednesday, when the La Gascogne
would take them on their voyage. The La
Champagne will 60 On the dry dock to-
morrow. The passengers were all asleep
when the collision occurred, and but few
were awakened, so slight was the shock.
There was no excitement.
THE LIsBoNENSE BLAMES THE FRENCHMEN.
The Lisbonnese is lying at Martins
Stores. Brooklyn. Her commander, Capt.
King, said in regard to the collision: 1--WE
took on pilot about fifteen miles off
Sandy Hook. The weather was calm and
we proceeded at full speed. When we
sighted the French steamer our pilot sig
nailed, we will port l am not sure Of
the reply It was La Champagne's duty to
keep out Of our way. The current was
against us, and the Frenchnan struck us
on the port side, about 25 feet forward of
the stern. The La Champagne'S nose
crashed into our side about four feet, broke
off and grazed few feet further and then
the vessels separated. think the French
steamer was wholly in fault"
THE LIsBoNENsE's DAMAGES.
The Lisbonense has gaping hole, 90 feet
long and 10 feet wide, just forward of the
stern. The sharp nose of the French
steamer stood in one corner of the ships
wine closet, and attached to it was a section
of plating about 10 feet square. The lower
edge Of the mole is about two feet above the
water line Capt. King said that ne could
give no idea of the amount of damage. 1t
will take ten days to make repairs.