The Washington times., 1894-05-07
STUCK IN THE MUD.

The Big French Steamer La Champagne
Hard Aground Near Long Island Shore.
NEW YORK, May 6-The steamer La Cham
pagne. which arrived this morning from
Hsvre while proceeding up the bay during
thick weather, grounded on the Long Island
, shore, south Of Fort Hamilton, close to the
wooden dock, recently built by the United
States government. The vessel lies in an easy
position on a mud bottom, hard and fast. II
lies within two hundred feet Of the shore.
The steamer arrived at the bar at 7.40 a. m.
the weather at the time being thick. but
clearing somewhat. She steamed slowly up
the bay, picking up the buoys ss she pro-
ceeded.
Just as the vessel made out Coney Island
Point Lighthouse very thick fog suddenly set
in. Pilot Kelley. Of pilotboat No. Is, was on
the bridge with Captain Laurent. The vessel
picked her way cautiously, the engines run
ming very slowly at the time. After passing
Coney Island the pilot steered course which
should have brought him In the center Of the
narrows, but owing to the density OF the fog.
which SO suddenly set in, the first the pilot
knew was to sight the long wooden dock
south OF Fort Hamilton. The ship was imme-
diately stopped, and engines reversed at full
speed, but too late to check her headway.
Tie starboard anchor was let go, but at the
too sudden strain Of the ship the chain parted
at the hawserpipe. Meanwhile the port
anchor was let go, but too late to be of any
service.
lies within 200 feet Of the beach. All the life
boats were Immediately lowered to be used in
case OF necessity, but fortunately they were
not needed. There was not the slightest ex-
citement among the passengers when the ves-
sci grounded.
Health Officer Jenkins and Deputy Sam
born proceeded to the scene, boarded the ves-
sci, and after inspecting the passengers
granted her clean bill Of health, and per-
mission to transfer her passengers.
Superintendent West, of the French line,
chartered the wrecking steamer William E.
Chapman and reached the scene Of the acct
dent shortly before noon. 1t will be impos-
sible to haul the ship of even at high water
this evening. as she went ashore at the top Of
high water, in fact the tide had Just COM
menced to run out as she grounded. She will
be lightened OF considerable cargo before be-
ing hauled of.
The Long Island shore and the beach in the
vicinity OF the stranded steamer Immediately
after the accident swarmed with several
thousand people Of the adjacent villages who
fiocked down to see the La Champagne, and
in few more minutes the water about the
steamer was full Of rowboats, sailboats,
steam launches, and other small craft, VINO
hastened to see the crippled steamer. The
Merit Wrecking Company's steamer John D.
Jones. with two lighters, also came along
side the steamer, but their services were too
late, as Superintendent West had just arrived
with the Chapman Wrecking Company's
steamer William E. Chapman.
The steerage passengers will have to re-
main on board over night as it would be too
late to transfer them in time to get to Ellis
Island this afternoon. Captain Franguel, late
80 tha
enger on the La Champagne.
Pilot Keeler did not wish to make any state
ment as to the cause Of the vessels stranding,
he evidently believed he was in the Narrows,
as he steered q course in that direction after
sighting the Coney Island light house. He
stated afterwards the fog set in very dense
and he could not account for the grounding
which she did. He feels his position very
keenly. The mails were put on board of the
tug Louis Pulver, which started for the city
about 1.30 a. m.
The transfer boat Rosa. which had been
sent down, left the steamer at 2.40 m. with
the cabin passengers. She also had in tow
fifteen Of the steamers lifeboats which were
probably removed for the purpose OF tighten
ing the ship.
When of Owls Head she let go the tow OF
lifeboa;s belonging to the steamer La Cham
payne. The police boat patrol took them in
tow and brought them to the French line
pier. Among the La Cnampagnes pas
sengers are c. P. Armstrong. jr.. Comte De
Themar de Cransac, Countesse De Cransac
and Raoul D'Ahemar de Cransac, Albert
Crossman. 4. Livingstone Mason and Mrs.
Mason, Bradlee Smith and Mrs. Smith.
All the passengers were taken Off by the
tug Rosa about noon. the cabin passengers
being landed at the French pier. in this city,
while the steerage passengers were taken TO
Ellis Island
Among the passengers on the French steam
ship La Champagne, which ran aground this
morning at Fort Hamilton. Is the Rev. Helm
rich Schmitt, pastor of Manndorf. Canton of
Zurich. Switzerland. Farther Sehmitt comes
to America, commissioned by his bishop,
Joannes Fidelis BaitaSlia. to visit the more
important Catholic dioceses in the United
States and Canada. and on his return to re-
port on the progress and working of the
Catholic church in America. Among the pre-
lates whom Father Schmitt will visit are
Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop Corrigan.
Archbishop Ireland. and Bishop Wigger.