New-York tribune., 1897-07-30
WARSHIP SUNK a FLOAT.
THE MAINE HAD A HARD TINE COMING
DOWN THE EAST RIVER
1T WAS QUESTION OF DoDGING AN EXCURSION
STEAMER OR CUTTING HER-FREIGHT CARS
WENT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE RIVER
But THE EXCURSION PARTY WAS
sAvED-THE BATTLE-sHIP

sAvED-THE BATTLE-SHIP
UNINJURED.
With only few scratches Of paint taken from
her bows. the battle-ship Maine anchored or Iomp-
kinsviIe early yesterday afternoon. The scratches
gave little token Of the exciting time the snip had
exnerienced on her run down the East River, Out
the trip was by far the most eventful OF any "hc"
the Maine has had a share In since sne was
launched from the ways In the Navy lard IN
BROOKLYN She had sailed from Gardeners lsiand
early in the morning. and passed City Island al
9.30 o'clock on her way to the assembling OF the
North Atlantic Squadron. The river was ousy
place about an hour and half later, when she
was nearly of Clinton-st Out in the stream was
the Mallory Line steamer Colorado. manpuvrihs
TO get 10 the pier. and In order 10 clear her the
Maine had TO go rather close TO the shore "hen
the steamer was cleared the little excursion steam
er Isabel was seen coming upstream. headed
through the narrow channel already pre-empted
by the Maine. Near Jefferson-st.. or when on
Pier No i6 came the emergency. The big ship
could not back out the little excursion boat would
not or could not without striking the Mallory
steamer, and II the courses were Kept coiiisoh'
with loss Of life. was inevitable
at the pier which belongs 10 the NeW-fork.
New-Haven and Hartford Railroad. was float
holding a dozen freightcars Captain Sigsbees de-
cision was made on the instant, and the prov OF
the Maine was pointed for the barge. She sliced
the end of the float without disturbing the cars
and then her steel stem struck the end OF the pier
The float sank ard the cars. still on the rais were
visible above water as the tide went down Men
who had been at work the float had oeeii
warned by the hoarse whistle Of the Maine and got
out Of the way before the crash came. NO one was
hurt and the pleasure seekers on the lsaoeI "eh'
on their way rejoicing, while the battleship at'er
rebounding from the spling al the end OF the pier
settled down TO business and passed the BATTERY
about noon bound down the harbor.
Employees of the railroad company ana OF the
Clvde Line who witnessed the occurrence. SAID
that while the excursion boat had narrow escape
she was not struck by the war vessel.
The Maine had on board division OF reserves
who had been doing duty at Gardeners lsand. aho
although there some excitement among ths
men the regular crew Of the ship made no mani
festatIon Of alarm. The loss by the accident i .s
tmated at 5000 and there will be rigu IN IN
Rear7Admiral Slcard will appoint a board OF IN
yestigation which will take all the testlmoh! W,
,alnable regarding the affair. and. athougn 'nea.
il no question among those VINO saw the ana'r ina t
CaDtain Sigsbee did nothing save what was JUS
right the question TO why the ship shouId nav
been in that position may be a troublesome one y
arr wer The accidents which have been recorueo
OF naval vessels of late have provoked spirit o'
comment unfavorabe 10 the management OF na'a
affairs and the fact that serious disaster was sc
close on board OF the largest SHIPS OF the ne
in the neaceful waters of the East RIVER. Is ~
regarded as complimentary 10 those VINO nave ti'
handling of the vessels.