Evening journal., 1896-12-21
SUNK IN MID-STREAM.
The Dredge Pacific Goes Down
in the Delaware River.
HER GREW NARROWLY ESCAPED


SUIT FOR DAMAGES INSTITUTED
AGAINST THE STEAMER DELLA
WARE, WHICH SUNK THE
DREDGE.
The English tramp steamer Della
ware Captain Thomas, which only re-
Gently was repaired in Wilmington, col
lided with the steam dredge Pacific in
the Delaware river just below Edge
Moore at 1890 o'clock yesterday after
noon. The dredge was sunk and her
crew Of ten men narrowly e5-
capped drowning. The Pacific was
commanded by Captain Alexander
Burk. and had been engaged In dredg-
ing the channel of the Delaware at
Cherry lslaid flats for about two
months under contract OF the Morris
& Cummings Company with the gov
ernment.
The cook was preparing dinner when
the accident occurred and the crew of
the dredge were most of them, below
asleep. The captain and mate were
seated in the bow smoking, and only
one man, Charles Hoist, the runner,
was on deck
The runner saw the Delaware com
ing down stream directly in line with
the dredge and he shouted to the
steamers pilot to bear off or he would
run down the dredge.
The pilot evidently did not hear, for
the big tramp steamer continued on
her course. and a minute after the
warning had been given, crashed di-
rectly into the Pacihc's stern.
fTfI.
the dredge began Immediately TO fiji
with water The headway of the
steamer was not checked, and she
scraped the side of the Pacific from
stem to stern, ripping of her life
boats and smashing her rail.
There was the utmost confusion on
| both vessels. The crew OF the dredge,
who were asleep, were awakened only
TO find their boat rapidly going down
in seven fathoms of water. The shock
of the collision threw them to the floor
and they had to jump overheard imme-
diately TO keep from being dragged
down by the sinking boat. No oppor-
tunity was given them to secure any
Of their property. and they saved moth
ing but the clothes they had on.
It is claimed that the davits OF the
Delaware had been damaged by the ac-
cident At any rate It was some time
before a boat was lowered TO go to the
assistance of the crew who were fiOun-
dering about in the icy water. Two
| of them. Harry Ruderick and Harry
SOuder could not swim, and they were
kept afloat by their companions. When
the life-bOat from the Delaware finally
reached them, however. they were
nearly exhausted, and the two me1
named were unconscious.
The dredge sank in about six min.
utes after being struck and the mer
were I'm the water for about twent,
minutes before they were picked up.
The Philadelphia and Wilmington
steamer Brandywine, which left Phila
delphia at 1890 o'clock, had just passed
Gordon Heights when the collision oc
Cured When Captain Moncries saw
the accident he Immediately gave or
ders to his engineer to proceed with al
speed to the scene. All Of the crew o
the sunken dredge we're taken aboarC
the Brandywine and brought to this
city. The men were nearly frozen
They were furnished with dry cloth
ing at a Wilmington hotel.
They lost everything they had. On,
OF them had I'm his bunk n valise con
II. but had not time.
The captain of the Delaware, accord
ing to the story OF the rescued men
did not give any reason for the acct
dent, or even inquire the amount o
the damage. AS soCn as his life-boa
had returned 10 his vessel she imme
diately proceeded down stream. Th'
captain of the Pacific says there wat
no excuse for the collision, as he wa.
anchored in mid-stream. and there wal
Z sufficient lceWay on either side.
The Delaware had loaded oil at Mar
Gus Hook for London.
AS soon as the news Of the collision
reached Wilmington. Superintendent
Hamilton Ruderick went before Mar
shal Lannan and filed proceedings fO
libel claiming damages of $4,000.
Marshal I.annan telegraphed 4
Lewes TO have the Delaware intercepte'
there.
The Pacific was owned by w. NJ
Brainerd & Bro. of New York, and wa
worth $4,000. Her crew comprises
Captain Alexander Burke, Captain
wilkins, Mate Samuel o. Gilligan
Watchman Hans Anderson. Enginee
Harry Souder, Cook Charles Lonstrur
Deck Hands John Nelson, Gustav
Eaton. Charles Hoist, Harry Ruderick
An effort will be made to raise tn
dredge at once.
J After the collision with the Pacific
{ the Delaware anchored off Reed.
Island She was seized there thi
morning by Marshal Lannan, and
J watchman was put aboard.
FITZHUGH LEE IN WILMINGTON
Consul General Fitzhugh Lee. reDre