The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-05-23
STEAMER FLORIDA Is SUNK
In Collision on Lake Huron with the
Steamer George w. Roby.

Steamer George w. Roby.
Port Huron, May 21.-The steamer
| Florida. OF the Lackawanra line, bound
| from Chicago TO Buffalo with grain and
| general merchandise, was sent to the bot
| tom Of Lake Huron by collision with the
steamer George w. Roby at 9 o'clock
yesterday morning between Middle Isl
| and and Pressure Isle. The crew of the
Florida were all rescued by the Roby,
which steamer, being badly damaged.
| turced back, arriving here this morning.
1t was very foggy at the time of the
| collision. The two steamers exchanged
passing signals, but they had not sighted
| each other in time to prevent coming to-
gether. Captain William Smith. who is
in command Of the Roby, states that
when he first sighted the Florida through
the fog he stopped and backed his en-
gines, but the two boats were so close to-
| gether that i; was impossible to avoid
:he crash.
The Roby struck the Florida on the
starboard side about midships. A hole
twelve feen long was cut in that steam
er's wooden side. 1t was instantly seen
that IL was only question Of minutes
before the Florida would go down. The
Roby steamed alongside and took off
part of her crew. The remainder Of ner
boat and had succeeded IL getting free
Of the sinking steamer. They were pick
ed up subsequently by the Roby
In about twelve minutes after the
crash the florida went to the bottom,
sinking stern first and breaking in two
about inidships. AS she went down the
imprisoned air in her hull blew off the
cabins and upper works. This debris Is
row scattered over the surface OF the
lake and had been reported by several
steamers which have passed through il.
The Roby was badly damaged in the
bow and Will go into the dry dock here.
50 quickly had the Florida 20 be aban-
doned by the crew that they were unable
20 save any ot their personal belongings
After the collision the Roby. which was
bound for Lake Superior without cargo,
ara towing the schooner Becker. turned
the Becker over 20 the V. II. ketchuI.
The cargo OF the Florida consisted Of
5000 bushels 81 wheat and $50 tons OF
merchandise. The loss o., the cargo is
estimated at about $4,000. The florida
belonged 10 the Ki.derhouse syndicate Of
Buffalo but for many years has been un-
der charter 10 the Lackawanna line. She
was built by the Cnior Dry Dock COM
pany OF Buffalo in 1883 ana had a gross
tonnage Of 210S. She was 27o fas. long
by 20 feet beam. Her valuation was
about sl00. 900. She was insured for $50
coo with the McCurdy syndicate OF Chi
cage.
The place where the collision occurred
has been the scene Of many maritime dis
asters ard there is probably not a square
mile OF the lake in that region without,
one or more wrecks which have been
caused by collision. Il is az the point
where the great highways OF lake CON-
merce between Lake Michigan and Lake
Superior converge.
Chicago, May I.-The capain OF the
steamer Glidden. which arrived az the
500 this morning. reports havirg passed
she plot house and other wreckage from
the Florida of Middle Island al 3 O'Clock
last evening.
She5oygan. Mich. May s1.-Tae steam
er o. O. Carpenter reports having passed
wreckage from The steamer Florida of
False Presque Isle. The debris consist
ed OF piio- house. hurricane deck. etc
The Florida was bound down with grain
ard merchandise from Chicago. 81
runs on the Lackawanna line.