Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-12-24

The tank steamer Delaware, Capt.
Thomas, from Philadelphia for Lon |
don. ian into and sunk on Sunday the.
steam dredge Pacific at Cherry Island
Flats in the Delaware opposite this
city, The dredge's crew Of 10 men
were got on board the Delaware after
having been in the water for more
than half an hour. and they were SUBJ |
sequenty transferred to the steamboat
Brandywine, which landed them at
Wilmington. The steamer sustained
slight damage. AD
1t was shortly after noon time when
the collision occurred, The cause ia
not known. II was clear at the tins,
and according to the story of those Of
the crew who were ON deck of the
dredge, which was lying directly in
the channel, they shouted warning
when the steamer was 800 yards way.
As it became evident that the tanker
was going to run into the dredge the
three hands on deck called to their
fellow men. who were at dinner in the
cabin. just as boat was being
lowered the steamer struck the stern
Of the dredge glanoing blow, which
knocked it around, and the tanker
struck the dredge second blow on the
side, making large hole, and smash
ing the boat.
In six minutes time the dredge went
down. In the meantime the men at
the command OF Capt Alexander
Burke jumped into the river, and
Deckband Harry Ruddrick and Engi-
neer Harry Souder had narrow escapes
from drowning, as they could not swim.
They were saved by George Eaton with
the aid of some planks from the wreck.
The crew lost all their belongings, In
GLIDING some money they had received
on Saturday night to be sent to their
families for Christmas
The crew of the Pacific consisted OF
Capt. Alexander Burke, Capt. Wilkins,
Mate Samuel o. Gilligan, Waterman
Hans Anderson, Engineer Harry
Souder, Cook Charles Lonstrup,
Deckhands John Nelson, Gustave
Eaton, Charles Hoist, Harry Ruddri3k.
Tbs Pacific was valued at about
S35, GOO and was owned in New York by
William M. Brainerd s Brother. All
that can be seen of her now is about
scoop. AS she lies she will be rather
dangerous obstruction to navigation.
Morris & Cummings of New York have
the contract for dredging the fats, and
the Pacific had been at work since
October.
The steamer Delaware was seized last
night by United States Marshal Lam
nan OF this city, who had received
word of tho collision from Superin-
tendent Hamilton Ruddrick of the
dredge, who was in this city.
1t was about 10 o'clock when the
marshal came up with the boat. She
was then at Reedy Island. and he had
her cast anchor and put Waterman
aboard. Capt. Thomas accompanied
Marshal Lannan 10 this city, and this
morning went to Philadelphia to confer
with the agents.
The owners of the dredge had FLED in
| the office of the United States court
here claim for s31, 500 damages, and on
| that CLAIM the libel was made.
At the time of the accident it is said
| the pilot was at the wheel, one of the
officers of the hoat stating that they
| were all below and knew nothing of
| the trouble until the crash came.
The Delaware is foreign boat and
at the time was proceeding out, with a
cargo of oil, which she had taken on at
| Philadelphia. Ii il expected that her
agents will arrive to-day and give
security, after which she will be
liberated and will proceed on her
voyage. She is owned by the Standard
| Oil Co.