The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-04
FiIibuSterC rCOmmOdOreSank
Off New Smyrna.
Stephen Crane, the Writer.
Had a Narrow Escape.


Jacksonvills. Fla. Jan. "details OF
the wreck OF the steamer Commodore,
bound for Cuba with cargo OF arms and
ammunition. which went down about 16
miles of New Smyrna. at $3.50 Saturday
morning, still leaves seven members Of
the expedition unacoounted for. and
they have been given up for lost.
When IL was seen that nothing could
save the vessel from sinking. Captain
Murphy gave orders to take TO the
boats. A panic almost ensued among
the excited Cubans. Twelve of them
hurriedly entered one of the large surf
boats and pulled away for Mosquito In
let light without any thought OF those
LETT behind.
A second boat was lowered. into which
IL more of the crew hastily crowded, and
had scarcely left the steamer when the
boat was swamped in the heavy sea that
was running.
Captain Murphy, Stephen Crane, the
novelist. G. B. Montgomery and Will
lam Higgins. who were still aboard
after the launching and swamping OF
the second boat, gathered together a
quantity Of timber and tpars and rail-
ings, and lashIng them together threw
overheard the hastily improvised raft.
A small l0-foot dingy was the only
boat remaining on the steamer, and this
was launched and entered by the re-
naming members OF the expedition only
moment before the vessel finally set
tied below the waves.
AS those on the raft had no means of
propelling the craft, the four men in the
little dinsy endeavored to tow IL toward
the shore. The waves were running high
linz he a
the men were being washed off, until
only eight were left At this time the
line parted aid the raft was carried
away in the darkness. After rowing
about for some time In search OF the
others, they were finally given up as
lost. and the four men In the dingy re-
sumed their laborious pull for the shore.
The oarswe carried away after going
short distance. and a sail was impro-
vised by each of the four taking turns
at holding UP the captains overcoat.
The boat successfully rode the noun
famous waves until IL struck the surf In
shore, when IL capsized
Captain Murphy, Crane and Mont
gomery, after a hard fight. succeeded I'm
getting safely 10 shore, completely ex-
hausted. Higgins was drowned and his
body was cast upon the sands. These
three men made their way 10 Daytona,
arriving there late In the morning They
there learned OF the safe landing OF the
first boat 4 late dispatch from Port
Orange. near Daytona. says the boat
containing four men had succeeded
In landing there. No particulars were
given. They are supposed to have been
those who were washed overheard from
the raft. and who succeeded In righting
the overturned surf boat.
Late last night the Three Friends left
for the scene OF the disaster In search
for those who may still be on board The
raft. The steamer however. will not
be able TO reach the locality until about
daylight, and there is little hope of saw
ing the wrecked men.
The Cuhans charge treachery In the
wreck OF the steamer. saying that SO
soon as IL was discovered that the ves-
Gel was LEAKING the pumps were tried,
but they were found 10 have been tam.
pered with and Nere useless. The men
were then set at wors baIling out the
vessel with buckets. futile task that
was soon aha ndOnpd