Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-11-11
PURITAN ASHORE,
Big Fall River Line Steamer
Is Fast on the Rocks.
Struck on Great Gulf Island and
Her Bottom Stove In.
Boat Had $50 Passengers on Board But
All We're Rescued.

New London, Conn, Nov 10.-The big
Steamer Puritan of the Fall River line
went ashore on the north side Of Great
Gull island at O'Clock Saturday morning
in one of the densest fogs ever known on
the sound. Great Gull island lies in the
Race, one-third Of the way between Plum
Island and the southwest end of Fishers
Island, and IL miles south of New London
Inc Puritan was going ut her ordinary
rate of speed, and took the ground with u
rush. The great iron plates on the Puri-
tan bottom were stove for considerable
distance, but no water penetrated the
inner she'll of the vessel
The first news of the accident WAS
brought to this city by the steamer CITY
of Worcester, of the Norwich line, CAPTAIN
Miner, which arrived soon after 4 O'Clock.
He reported hearing steamer whistlinr
for assistance in the direction Of Great
Guli island, and making his way eau
tiously discovered that the disabled boat
was the Puritan, east bound. lying hard
and fast aground, though in compare
lively easy position.
AT O'Clock in tho morning the first
mate of the Puritan was rowed to tho
wharf here by crew of eight men in the
long boat. From him ii was learned that
his boat went ashore few minutes after
3oclock, and at almost the top of the tide,
In as dense fog as ever prevailed. He
stated cmphatically that although sharp
Watch Was Kept For the whistle
on Great Gull island II was not heard.
Captain Miner OF the City of Worcester
confirms this statement, saying that tho
lookouts were unable to hear any whistle
as they approached the island from tho
west, but after passing 1t the whistle
could be plainly heard This failure TO
hear 1t is proof of an assertion often made
by mariners that under certain conditions
the whistle cannot be heard and Is. there
fore. practically useless means of warn.
ing in fog.
The boat had $50 passengers, who were
somewhat excited over the accident but
not more so than might be expected under
the circumstances. There was no manic.
The officers of the vessel soon succeeded i'm
allaying any fears the passengers enter
tanned and chen the mate and crew Ind
left the boat all settled down quietly To
await the rescuing tugs
The bottom where the steamer ia
grounded Is rough and she will be banged
some, but it is thought will not be seri.
ously damaged. Meanwhile those pnss-
engers who wished to be brought to this
city were accommodated in one of the tuvs
and reached here about 3 o'clock.
The Wrecked Boat.
The steamer Puritan is among soupd
steamers what the City of Paris is among
ocean racers, one Of the latest, GREATEST
and best.
The Puritan is sister shin to the Pill.
grim and Priscilla but is much larger
than the former vessel and differs from
her in many features of Importance. Ev-
cry device and improvement suggested by
past experiences and progressive invention
has been utilized in her construction. She
combines great speed with every provision
for the safety, comfort and convenience OF
her human freight, and in the perfection
ana iuxurlousness OF her appointments
may DE httingiy described as superb
floating palace.
She has double steel hull, and between
the inner and outer sbeathings there are
% water-tlght compartments. Her decks
are OF steel, covered with wood, and her
masts, also OF steel are hollow and serve
rs ventiators. Her hulls are made of
mild steel, which Is 20 percent stronger
than iron and about one-quarter lighter.
Her wheels are of steel and are IS feet i'm
diameter outside the buckets. The total
weight Of each wheel is 100 tons.
The Puritan has in all 1854 staterooms.
the finest of which are on the main saloon
and gallery decks. The designs for the
decorations are chaste throughout, and
inc richest finish appears on every hand.
The Puritan is six years old, and made
her first regular trip Monday, June H..
1894.
Notwltf Standing the combined efforts
II three powerful tugs, the steamer has
lot yet been pulled off. The wreckers be-
ieve the Puritan is lying in no worse con
Iition, tonight, than when she went on.
iope Is entertained that she may be saved
Captain Davis Of the Puritan and crew are
board the steamer and will stay until she
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