The morning times., 1895-08-16

Hundreds of men and women held their
breath on Wednesday evening last when
the steamer Samuel j PentZ ran across
the bow OF the City OF Richmond, both
vessels under a fun head Of steam for
Washington The passengers the City
OF Richmond report the incident as one Of
thrilling interest to them. They aIlege
that III the run of the Pentz across the bow
of the Richmond the former steamer was
so close 10 the latter that the passengers
could have reac1ed out and touched the
Pentz
There were about five hundred passengers
on The City of Richmond and the Pentz was
alive with a merry crowd OF eXcursionists.
The Richmond about 9 80 p. IN. had reached
a point between Bryan Point and Fort
Washington and was sailing her regular
course.
The steamer Pentz was making the trip
down the river. She passed the Richmond
and when 4 short distance astern crossed
the wake of the steamer and bore up on
parallel course between the Richmond and
the Maryland shore. The Pentz had come
down on the Virginia side.
Just ahead OF both steamers were some
small craft which they had To avoid. When
near these the Pentz headed northwest
and continuing on that course drew nearer
and nearer to the Richmond.
PILOT PHILLIPS STORY.
Pilot Frank Phillips was sailing the
Richmond and his attention was attracted
by the strange action Of the Pentz, but he
had no idea of what did he ppen.
The Pentz kept on its course 10 the north
west and deliberately ran across the bow
OF the heavier vessel. When the passen-
gers on the forward deck OF tie Richmond
saw that the Pentz intended TO cross at that
short distance there was the utmost con-
sUsrnatioa.
II appeared To them that head end col
IisiOn was absolutely certain. The women
CIung 20 eacn OJner ana races were DIancnea
with the probabilIty Of an inevitable dis
aster, which would have involved the lives
Of nearly 900 men, women and children.
The only way out OF the disaster, as it
seemed 10 the pilot OF the Richmond, was
10 try and stop the Richmond As soon as
that officer saw that the PentZ was bent
Oh crossing he pulled the bells 10 reverse
the engine, aud that was SO promptly done
that the PentZ just brushed by at arms
leugth from the Richmond.
- Had l struck her." sand Pilot Phillips
last night, Il would have raked her from
forward Of the wheelhouse 10 stern. IL
was a good stop and close call
The foregoing is the story as CLEANED
from passengers on the City OF Richmond
and the Officers of that vessel The latter
are Indignant al the act or the Pentz, and
propose to have the case Investigated
NOT ONE OF DANGER
Capt Barker, OF the Samuel j. Pentz,
was seen last night and was told the circum-
stances as they appeared TO people on
board the Cry OF Richmond. Capt Barker
did not regard the situation as at all one
or danger h did not run wantonIy across
the bow Of the Richmond He admitted
coming down and rounding the Richmond
and following her on that course.
"I3ut." said lie. when | was abreast Of
her / was nearly hundred yearus distant,
Just in ahead OF me was i vessel that / took
90 be 4 schooner, showing green light.
.toavoidher, passedahea d ofthe Richmond
and that wasall there was init. As Ipassed
the City OF Richmond on the starboard side
/ blew one whistle, the usual sign, and L
was ans wered.'
Capt Baker accuses the City OF Richmond
OF trying TO catch his suction.
Pilot Phillips does not regard the matter
so lightly ard Will have the case reported
10 the steamboat inspectors.
Dr. Clarence Weaver, who was one OF
the passengers, said last night that when the
PeDz was passing the bow Of the Richmond
there were some moments Of intense
pressure excitement on board. Many Of the
women were simply paralyzed with feaI
for there was not one of them TO whom
the impending disaster was not already
! realized