The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-12-21

Big Tanker Delaware 'uts the DrcdSe
Pacific In Two

The scoop dredge Pacific, owned in New
York by the Morris Il Cumns Dredging
Company, which has been at work In the
Delaware River flats, was run into and
sunk off that place yesterday at noon by
tho big British tank steamship Delaware
bound to London with 1000 900 gallons Of
refined OIL
All hands of the dredge. which was al
most cut in half and Immediately sunk,
were, with the greatest difficulty saved
and cared for by the Delaware, which sub
sequently came to anchor off Reedy Island
awaiting favorable condition Of the tide
to float her over Dan Baker Shoals.
AS far IS can be learned the Delaware
was uninjured. but whether or not she
will proceed until such time as n survey
cnn be held on her by experts is not
known.
Cnurry Island Flats, which is one of the
worst distractions that confronts pilots in
navigating to sea deep draught vessels,
was baing rapidly dug out TO twenty-six
feet n" low tide by this dredge, which, of
necessity, must anchor in the channel,
where the best water exists, and it Is often
impossible for vessels of the size OF the
Delaware to clear her, us they become UNI
manageable immediately upon smelling
the bottom when rounding the cut, and
are liable to take heavy sheers
The Delaware, being one of tho largest
tankors that visits Philadelphia, upon
leaving there yesterday morning on the
first OF the flood tide was drawing twenty
six feet and approached Cherry Island
after the tide there had risen several feet.
Upon getting into shoal water she han
died badly and took sheer which could
not be caught in time by the altering Of
the helm, aud she crashed into the Pacific
with almost unchecked speed, sinking her
instantly as she lay at anchor In the chan
mel. Whether or not the dredge lies in
such position. as will obstruct naviga-
toni not known, as few details Of the
disaster could he had last night from
Rcedy Island, off which place the Della
ware was anchored. Shipping men, how
ever, arc foarful lest the entire commerce
may be blocked should the dredge have
gone down in mid channel, the place being
very narrow through the cut
Pilots say that no such fears need be
felt as to the eastward Of Cherry ISLAM.
Should such an obstruction exist in III
authorized channel sufficient water exis s
to float ships through to this port and TO
the sea until such time as the Pacific could
be removed. The sunken dredge was one
of the most powerful and expensive or 8
at work in the harbor and in the shorG
time at work at Cherry Island had sue
ceeded in deepening the channel to such
an extent that would have taken but few
weeks more to have dug it out to twenty
six feet mt low water.
The company owning the Pacific, under
the terms Of the contract with the United
States Government, was not forced to be-
gin che work until next spring, but was
induced through the Maritime Exchange
in order to relieve shipping, to begin t Q
work before the setting in of tho winter s
ice.
The accident will no doubt result in
litigation as the Dredging Company will
hold the Delaware responsible. The name
of tho pilot who had charge Of the Della
warO could not be learned.