The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-04-29
The Old Dominion Steamship
Wyanoke Sunk.
COLLISION IN THE JAMES
Fouled the Cruiser Columbia as
She Lay at Anchor
ALL CABIN PASSENGERS SAVED
But Several of the Grew We're Injured
and it is Probable That Some
of the Steerage Passengers
We're Drowned.


Newport, News, Va, April as
Shortly before 3 o'clock this morning
the Old Dominion steamer Wyanolle,
1900 tons, bound from Richmond to
New York, collided with the United
States cruiser Columbia which was
anchored in the James river, opposite
this city, and went to the bottom thir-
ty minutes afterwards. Capt. Jenney
and the crew Of the Wyanoke, together
with a number OF the passengers, came
ashore in row boats. Others were re-
moved to the Columbia.
The crew OF the tug Wanderer rem
dered valuable assistance in the work
of rescue. Capt. Jenney had just re-
lieyed the pilot when the collision oc-
CURED. There was no fog but Capt.
Jenney says that electric lights OBJ
scured the Columbia.
There were 107 passengers on board,
30 of whom were cabin. The crew
numbered AZ. Captain Jenney, when
seen by an Associated Press reporter,
said that his vessel struck just for
ward of the starboard wheel with such
force as to awaken all the passengers,
tion at once prevailed.
As far as can be ascertained at pre-
sent there were no lives lost, but it is
yet very probable that several steer
age passengers who were down below
at the time might have gone to the
bottom. Purser Burdette lost his safe,
in which were all of the ships papers,
and consequently could not state
whether or not all the steerage pas
sengers had been accC united for.
The officers and crew of the Colum-
bia handled the unfortunate ladies and
gentlemen with the greatest care and
made it as comfortable as possible for
them while the work of rescue was
going on. There were three bridal cou-
ples on board at the time who lost
their entire wardrobes and whatever
valuables they carried with them.
Others of the lady and gentlemen pas
sengers are known to have lost large
sums of money as well as trunks, etc.
The Wyanoke is now lying few
hundred yards from the shore. The
tops of her two masts and the top of
the pilot house which was detached,
are visible.
The passengers warmly praise the
conduct of the officers during the eX-
citement. Capt. Jenney and purser
Burdette were the last to leave the
sinking vessel and were compelled to
Jump over board in order to prevent
being carried down with the wreckage.
Mrs. b. Frank Ford, of Jamaica, n.
Y, was the last of the women passen-
gers to leave the ship. 1t is just learn
ed that a hole was made in the prov OF
the Columbia by the Wyanolle.
The commqnder of the Columbia
has appointed board of investigation
70 determine how far the naval of
fcers are responsible for the accident.
1t is now in progress and is being held
behind closed doors.
DAMAGE TO THE COLUMBIA.
Warrington, April 28-The officials
at the Navy department were very
much disquieted this morning by the
report that the United States steam
ship Columbia had been i'm collision near
Norfolk last night. Efforts were made
to secure some news, through official
circles, of the accident, but it was not
for some time that a telegraphic re-
port came from Admiral Bunce, COM
manding the North Atlantic Squadron,
to which the Columbia is attached. This
telegram, which was sent from Fort
Monroe, the nearest telegraph station
to the Admiral's flagship, the New
York, read as follows:
''Io the Secretary of the Navy, Wash
ington:
Sands reports that the Old Domin
ion steamer Wyanolle last night fouled
the Columbia, anchored at Newport
News, and sank under her forefoOt. The
passengers were all saved. Several of
the crew were injured and are being at
tended by the Columbia's surgeons.
The damage to the Columbia is one
hole two feet in diameter ON port side, !
ten feet above the water line; heavy
two feet above the water |
line on the same side, and indentatiOns |
of one plate on the sbarboard side opp0- !
site the hole, opening a seam for about |
six feet. Temporary loss of one anchor |
and forty-five fathoms of chain. |
shall send her to the Norfolk Navy |
Y ard as soon as the requirements Of I
400 naval regulations, are F.!
with"
The regulation referred to by Adj /
miral Bunce is that requiring a survey /
TO be made by a special board Of Off
GERS Immediately after an accident to
ascertain the extent of the injuries SUI
tanned by the naval vessel, and what
repairs are necessary. 1T is believed
chat in this case there can be little
loubt that the blame must rest on the
officers of the Wyanol1e, unless it can
De shown bhat the Columbia was an
.hored in a dangerous position and fail
"a to exhibit the lights indicating that
,he lay at anchor.
The naval vessel undoubtedly was
cry lucky in coming out Of the col