The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-10-26
SAVANNAH, GA. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26. 1890

away, was a ship in the act of crossing the
steamers bows, aud he saw at once that
collision was inevitable IL was too late for
the rudder to affect the steamers course.
and shs must strike the vessel somewhere
amidships.
Another ten seconds and the crash would
come, and TO avoid the wreck of falling
spars Philip sprang down from the fo'castle
again, as did the man on the lookout. He
ran u few yards and then grasped the rail
to steady himself for tae shock He had
scarcely done so when there was a terrible
crash. The great steamer shook from stem
TO stern, there was sound of crashing
timber and falling spars, ard then mo-
mentary silence, for the screw had ceased to
revolve the moment the blow was given:
shouts and screams then rose under her
bow, while a confusion of noises broke out
on board the steamer.
The sailors poured out from the fo'castle
just as they had sprung from their berths,
the watch came running forward, and
screams were heard from below.
Then came stern shout from the officer
on the bridge:
'Silence below there. All hands to your
stations at the boats; see that they are ready
to be cleared away and lowered at once. We
shall have to save those on board the ship
we have run into. Quartermaster, go to the
bow and see, If you can, whether we have
sustained any damage"
There was a moments pause, and then
came the order:
Lower down the two lifeboats. Steady.
my lads, but as quick as you can; she is
going. All, good heavens, she is goneln
It. was but half a minute since the col.
lision had taken place, but the captain and
other officers had already appeared on deck,
having only stopped, as they leaped from
their berths, to pull on their trousers
'Mr. Thompson, do you take command
of the port lifeDoat; do you take command
of the starboard boat, Mr. Green the cap
tain ordered. 'Do you say that she has
gone down. Mr.. Hawkins!"
"Yes, sir; she had just cleared US when
she went down; we must have cut her nearly
in half. We did not catch sight of her
length off. l stopped the engines at once
and ordered Hard astern,' but our way
could scarcely have been checked when we
struck her."
"Whab was she7"
''She was bark, sir, of seven or eight
hundred tons, should say"
"Are we much damagedp
81 cannot say, sir; have sent the quar-
termaster forward to examine her.
II will go and have look for myself, u
the captain said.
Just at this moment the quartermaster
hailed the officer on watch:
"Her stem is badly bent, sir, and some of
| the plates have started
II will take the command, Mr.. Hawkins
| do you get gang at once, aud open the
fore hatchway and see if the collision bulk
head is all right. Take the carpenter down
with you and get some spars and see that il
is wedged up and strengthened as much a.
| you eau. Quartermaster, send and gel
some blue lights and light up SO that The
boats can keep us in sight. Any of the
| stewards therem
Eyes, sir, several voices exclaimed.
well, just go below and tell the passen
gers that there is no immediate danger
hope no danger at ALL Tell them TO dres
themselves, and if possible 10 stop tina
screaming and hubbub."
Taking blue light from the quartermas
ter's hand as soon af he came up the cap.
tain Lit it and went to the bow. and holdin,
1t over his head leant over the rail to ex
anime the injury.
"Bo'swain,n he shouted as he handed tn
blue light to the quartermaster, ''get
sail up at once. We must stretch it owe
the bows. There is no stopping the leak
but it may ease the pressure on the bulk
head"
'Now, gentlemen" he said as he went af
and met several of the male passengers wht
had hurried up half dressed, 81 must trouble
you all either to go below or to keep vel
aft. You will only be in the way FORWARD
and can be of no assistance. Tell every one
to dress quietly In warm clothes and K
gather any valuables they may have in
small bundle There Is no immediate dan
| ger, but there is nothing like every one be
ing prepared"
The passengers retired aft and Philip de.
scended to the second class cabin. TIT
other male pass sngers had run up on deck
the two ladies' maids had gone aft to tn,
main saloon. Philip went to Madame Du-
| ports cabin and knocked
| "Are you dressed, MADAME" he asked.
| The door opened and Annette came GU
wrapped up in shawls
"What is the matter, Mr.. Clitheroep An
| nette asked. 1--WE felt terrible shock, bu
have heard nothing since, but from the run
ming about on deck we are sure sometime
has happened. The steward came and sale
something, but there was such a noise O.
| shouting and screaming from some Of tn,
! passengers that we could not hear what i
| was"
"We have been in collision with larg'
ship. and have, | am sorry to say, sunk her
| Two of the boats are away trying to picI
up some of her crew. We have stove il
our bows, but it is hoped that the bukneaC
will hold. But it is well TO take all precau
| tions. There is no OCCASION for haste, but
should advise you to dress comfortably il
| the clothes which would be most suita-
BILE for long voyage in boat. Each TAX,
small bundle or bag with such things al
| are most absolutely requisite, and SHOULD
we be obliged to take to the boats, which
| sincerely trust will not be the case, put or
as many shawls and coaks as you can; you
will find them very useful. You can do al
this quietly and without haste. l will come
| down from time to time to let you know
how thugs are going on"
Thank you" Annette said, quietly; 1--WE
| will take your advise. Mr. Clitheroe.n
The young man hesitated for a moment
as if he wanted to say more, then turned
| and went to his own cabin. He opened hi
| portmanteau, put on flannel shirt instead
of that he was wearing, placed a pocket
| book with some letters and papers In hi
| pocket, put on a pea-Jacket over his vel
veteen coat, and strapped up bundle OIL
rugs.
LET me see, is there anything else that
may wants All. yes; this may be most use
| full of all, " and he took out revolver from
the portmanteau, dropped it into one poke
| and box of cartridges into another. HI,
chose long clasp knife from the articles b.
had been persuaded to buy at the outftters
and a large flask which he had had fillec
with brandy. He took off his coats anc
| slung this by its strap over his shoulder
and then put on his coats again. "Tha
may be a last resource" he muttered
"and l had best keep it hidden
| That is about all, think. Oh.
will add those two water nrOoj