Birmingham state herald., 1896-04-29
WORK OF COLUMB|A'S RAM IL Punched a Hole Through the
 Steamer Wyanoke. SENT HER TO THE BOTTOM All but One of the Crew and Passengers Are
 Accounted For. THE COLLISION OCCURRED AT NIGHT Several Bridal Parties Were Rudely Awak- ened and Lost Their Trousseau--Th
 Damage to the Cruiser Colum-
 bia Was Slight.
THE COLLISION OCCURRED AT NIGHT

Fort Monroe, Va, April 2S.--The Old Dominion steamer Wyanoke, on her way from Richmond to New York, while com ing into the dock at Newport News this morning at o'clock collided with the cruiser Columbia, anchored off the port, and sunk in about thirty minutes.
 There were 107 passengers and a crew of forty-two men. The boats were at once lowered from both vessels. Captain Jenney, ith the crew and anumber of passengers, went ashore, while the oth- CTS were taken on the Columbia. The Wyanoke struck the Columbia with such force as to awaken all the passengers and crew and it Is thought no lives were lost. The ship lies in about 40 feet of water and can no doubt be raised.
 M w. Crowell general agent of the Old Dominion line at Newport News, re- ports this evening that all the passengers and crew of the Wyanoke had been &C., counted for except one of the firemen, who probably went down with the ship. The vessel lies about 200 yards from the shore with the top of her pilot house just above water. She struck the Columbia just forward of the starboard paddle wheel. The ram of the Columbia held her in place for some time, enabling
  sank. The second assistant engineer and one of the oilers were badly scalded by escaping steam. They were taken aboard the Columbia. where they are now being cared for. The officers of the Columbia were untirng in their efforts to save the passengers and crew and to make them comfortable after getting them aboard. Three bridal couples were on board. The passengers as a rule lost nearly all their clothing. The ladies and mer- chants of the city came to their aid most generously and did everything in their power to make them comfortable. Some of the passengers returned to Richmond by train this morning, others went north by train this afternoon, while some re- mained over to take the steamer Old Do- minion for New York tomorrow night.
 The3 Merritt Wrecking company will have a force, here by tomorrow morn- ing to raise the vessel. The Wyanoke is a side steamer, about twenty years old, iron hull, and registers 200 tons.
 Valued at &sO, ,Ooo.
 New York, April 2S.-Word was re- ceived early this morning at the general offices of the Old Dominion Steamship company, pier 26, North river, this city, of the sinking of the steamship Wyanoke, which collided with the United States cruiser Columbia near Newport News. The news of the accident was contained in the following telegram from the com pany's agent at Newport News: "Wyan- oke sunk in collision with United States cruiser Columbia, lying at anchor off Newport News. Passengers and crew all saved as far as known. Are taking care of passengers at Warwick. Will wire particulars later. M. B. Crowell, Agent"
 The company's officials sad the steam CT carried but few passengers, and they believed they were all saved. She has a crew of about forty smen, and was com manded by one of the lines best men, Capt. N H. Jenney. The Wyanoke car ried only a small assorted cargo. She left Richmond last night bound for this port. She was scheduled to stop at Norfolk, Va. where she was to have taken on her principal cargo. She went to the bottom before reaching that port She was to have sailed from Norfolk for New York at o'clock this morning. The steamship Old Dominion will be put into commission in place of the Wyanoke, and will sail next Saturday from this port in place Of the sunken vessel. President James A. Smith of the Old Dominion Steamship company said that despite the early hour of the accident, when nearly everybody aboard the Wyanoke was asleep, no lives were lost The vessel being light and having but small cargo, she remained afioat some time after having struck the cruiser, thus affording time for the crew
  gers into them. The Wyanoke was val ued at sS0,0OO, and was partially insured.
 Naval Report of the Accident.
 Washington, April 28.-The following official report of the disaster was re- ceived by telegraph at the navy depart ment at 10 a. m.:
 Fort Monroe.-Captain Sands reports that the old Dominion steamer Wyan- oke last night fouled the Columbia an-