New-York tribune., 1896-02-02
ASHORE IN THE FOG.
THE CARACAS RUNS ONTO THE ROCKS
OFF GOVERNORS ISLAND.
WHEN SHE IS PULLED oF'F-NO DAMAGE

MANTLE OF MIST.
The changing fog bells OF mighty steamships and
the shrll whistles OF putting combined to make
pandemonun in the harbor OF Newly ork yesterday.
The shippers OF the vessels bndly tried TO grope
their way their devious courses through the bank
OF fog that hung low over the Bay and rivers and
enveoped everything in impenetrable and misty
mantle. From all sides the cangor and din
Despite the constant noises OF warning. vessels
would loom up suddenly like spectres out OF the
mist. and only extreme caution and watchfulness
prevented disasters
The fog came down early and stayed long. lifting
occasionally enough to let befogged mariners see
whore they were and take new bearings Most OF
tho outgoing vessels delayed in getting out to
sea- and some OF those which ventured from their
piers dropped anchor In the Lower Bay and waited
for the rising OF the fog. Mindful of the fate OF
the American Line steamship st. Paul which Is
beginning her ninth day In her sandy bed on
the Jersey coast the commanders OF Atlantic liners
not taking any chances. and fleet of big ves-
sells lay all day outside the Hook waiting for better
weather. Among them were the American Line
steamship Paris. the Cunarder tmbria and the
French Liner Tourane. The steamships Pawnee
and Wilehad were the only vessels from the other
side which arrived yesterday and ventured up to
Quarantine In the course OF the day.
THE BOAT ASHORE
on the rocky coast which encrces Governors
Ialand the Red ID Line steamship Caracas went
ashore the fog about p and she stayed there
until 80 p. The Caracas left her Brooklyn pier
about 80 p. bound for Curacao and neighboring
ports II was said that she had pilot aboard me
weather was so thick that the lookout could see
scarcely half boats length ahead and the bell
and whistles were kept going continually. All went
well until the vessel rounded out of East River and
headed in the direction of Bedlows Island. JUST
about the time the officers in charge thought their
chip had cleared Castle William and could head
down the Bay. there was a sudden grinding sound
then a shock that made tho steamship trembo
from stem TO stern, and the Caracas was hard and
fast aground on Uncle Sans property. At the first
hint Of what had occurred the bells janged In the
engine-roon for full speed astern. but 1t was too
late. Fortunately the accident happened at almost
low tide and Captain Woodrick knew that 1t was
only matter of a few hours when the boat could be
freed and continue on her way, providing no DAM
age had been done to the hull.
FIFTY YARDS FROM SHORE.
The place where the Caracas struck is about ono
hundred and fifty yards west OF the steamboat
landing on Governors Island and about Nifty yards
from shore The steamships whistles told those
In the neghborhood OF her predcament, and the
tugs L H. Coffin and Excelsior made for her
and offered assistance After brief examination
IL was found that there would be no use in trying
10 pull the vesrel on until high tide, so the tugs
stood b. and Captain WoOdrick went ashore 10 see
his agents Routon Bliss & Daliett. while Captain
Allison Briggs owner OF the tugs. took charge OK
Soon after the strandlng o, tho steamship a
Tribune reporter went out to her and climbed
aboard She was lying head on. and had no list
The dozen passengers aboard seemed to take the
mishap as a pheasant, inc.den, OF the voyage, and
no alarm felt The chief officer, who APP
seemed 10 be the only person aboard who was not
In an amiable frame OF mind. About the only
ht of na' could ZAP be got :FoT ba nm nSaTs
would slve no account of the accident. and tho
public ia no, likely to know whore the blame lies
:, ftfrt ahp "A
Board Of Pilots and other authorities
CARGO OF THE SHIP.
Tho Caracas carries general cargo Of about $500
tons end was deeply loaded. Even from the shore
ot the island only dim outline OF the vessel could
ho seen until abou; so ?. m. when the FOG grad
ual,y urcd At $40 o'clock tho tugs e s Atwood
ana " r Dalzell went to the assistance OK me
other tugs and hy the.r conone1 eiIorts she vs. Us
then comparatively clear. and the Caracas started
70 have gone asho,e "a, 10" "Ssr nsbore Al hsh
Is no, thought TO have been seriously damaged
number 81 narr'w sstapss s H0 l no ser,os mis-
haps except the grounding of the caracas ana 'he
rbe s,I weather began early yesterday morning.
and az first II looked as II York were 70 nave
AMI thSn thick ,og began TO settle down over the
city. by the lime people ossan 20 teSr daiiv
abors the atmosphere was almost thck enough TO
with a knlfc. ana tne streets were
and sopplncss Suburbanites. as usual IN th!cK
weather In FOR their share OF trouble rom 'e-
laws on ferrybOats and trains.
FEW ON SCHEDULE TIME
Few OF the ferries were run on schedule as 'hc
pilots picked their way along cautiously. num-
Der Of tanges occurred IN the neghborhood or the
Battery but beyond nttle humping and rubbing
of OF paint nothing worthy OF note was reported.
At time during the day the iog was a.inosS
as thick on land "a the water. anu the el'Nateu
trains had 10 run with almost the caution OF Il
ferrvhoaf Tho Bridge not n pleasant pace
and tho thousands who usually walk across the
siructure crowded the almost 10 suNocaton
shor,iv before midnight the vessels which had
been fog-bound outside The Hook began 70 come
in and first among them the American inner,
ia IA There may be "A Eight fog to-day, but no
81 Paul weather as the winds VIII be westerly.
Tho official forecast is for cloudy weather, but
probably rain