The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-06-19
UPON THE LEDGE.
The Fall River Steamer Ply
mouth is Hard Aground.
Ran Ashore During Fog One Per-
son Injured But No Lives Lost.

The palatial Old Colony steamer Ply
mouth ran on the rocks at the south end OF
Rose Island while being turned into New
port last evening. Every effort was made
TO haul back but they were useless, and
the steamer remained hard ashore all
night.
The steamer started from Fall River at
the usual time last night with
about GOO passengers on board.
AT ABOUT 9. O'clock Rose Island
was reached when suddenly there was a
shock that struck terror TO the heart of
every passenger. The first blow was fol-
lowed by three others, each more terrific
from the tables in the dining room, every
stateroom door was burst open ana the
woodwork strained and Wrenched with
the force of the blows.
In few moments, however, everything
was quiet and some of the passengers
proceeded to calm the fears of the more
excited ones.
When the first blow had come men and
women had rushed from their staterooms
and from the decks and hurried around
the boat In frantic manner reaching for
lie preseryers and it was only the words
OF caution OF the more calm passengers
that prevented panic.
AS III was, however, everyone, with the
exception OF an excited German. was
hnally quieted. He could not be made to
believe that everyone would be safely cared
Tor, and when the boat that was to take
the first officer TO Newport was lowered
he sprang after it. He seized the ropes in
his hands but slid down so rapidly that
the pain compelled him. to loosen
upon the gunwale of the life boat. He
was in an unconscious condition when
brought on board and the ship surgeon
feared that he was internally injured.
As soon as the officers arrived at New
port the officials of the Old Colony road
were notified OF the accident and the ferry
boat Go 1anicut was sent to the steamer
TO carry the passengers who were
in hurry TO reach New York to Newport.
Then special train was made up and the
400 passengers who wished to avail them
selves of the opportunity left the boat,
while the other 200 remained OH board.
The Plymouth is the smallest steamer
on the Fall River line and has rocker
shaped bottom, which accounts for the
bursting of the stateroom doors,
the center being so much higher
than the ends that there was great
pressure as soon as the vessel took its last
jump and settled firmly upon the ragged
ledge.
The accident occurred when the tide
was very high and was due 20 great ex-
tent to the heavy tog that hung over the
water. Captain Davis heard the bell at
the Rose Island light but imagined
that it was at the permanent wharf at
Fort Adams, and be started to take his
usual turn into the harbor. The spot
where he should have turned, Eowever,
was an eighth of mile further
on and the quick, short turn brought the
steamer upon the ledge, which is just i'm
line with the Spindle. The boat struck
very suddenly and solidly, grinding the
bottom on the rocks as IL It was being
torn and ripped out by the force OF the
contact.
During the night both pumps were
kept hard at work and from the large
amount of water that was being drawn it
was evident that the steamer was leaking
badly.
The Plymouth was taken of the dry
dock in perfect condition for the sum-
mer traffic only week ago, but this ac-
cident may lay her up for the remainder of
the season.