Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-07-23
FATHOMS DEEP
Lies the Schooner P. /. Devils,
Sunk in a Collision.
Run Down in Vineyard Sound by
Schooner Lottie R. Russell.
All Hands Saved Both Claim They Had the
Right Of Way.

Vineyard Haven, Mass. July ga
collision between the schooner f. L.
Devils of Parrsborp N. S., and the Lot
tie r. RasselI OF Leesburg, N j., oc-
cured in Vineyard Sound. last night,
as the result of which the Devils lies
sunk in about eight fathoms of water,
while the Russell is at anchor in this
harbor considerably damaged, but not
leaking. the captain and crew of the
Devils escaped in safety and succeeding
in saving a portion of their personal
effects.
The accident occurred at $50 O'Clock
last evening, when the vessels were
nearly in mid channel at point about
half way between Hedge Fence and
Squash meadow shoals. The Devils,
which is a three -fnasted vessel, was
proceeding about seven or eight knots
speed when the Lottie Russell was
sighted on the port side.
1t was thought that the vessels would
pass each other in safety. but they
came together with a crash. the bow
of the Russell cutting into the Devils
between the fore and main rigging.
The Devils at once began to ill with
water and her boat was lowered and
the captain and crew hastily gathered
together as much of their personal be-
lodgings as they could before they were
compelled to leave. They rowed away
just as the Devils went under The lat
ter is directly in The path of the pass
ing vessels, with her mast heads pro-
jecting about Is feet above the surface
of the water.
The Russell carried away her head
gear, including her jihboom and bob
stay chain. and her stern was also
somewhat damaged. She made for this
port and anchored to make an exami-
nation. The crew of the Devils landed
here at about midnight and were cared
for at the Seamen's Bethel
Captain Southergreen of the Devils.
stated that the weather was clear al
the time of the collision and they We're
passing through Vineyard Sound with
a fresh south by west wind and all
sails set Those on deck saw the Rus
sells lights some five minutes before
the vessels came together. he said, but
as the Devils was on the starboard
tack and nearly close hauled, con-
sidered that he had the right of way.
felt the vessel going down, so with as
much haste as possible he ordered the
crew 10 get together their effects after
clearing away the boat. They had
barely time to snatch what was at
hand before the schooner sank.
Captain Southergreen lost ali his
navigating instruments, his watch and
other valuables. The captain reports
that the Devils was nearly new. having
been built in Nova Scotia, in 1891 Sha
cost about $4,000 and was owned by
\. w. Atkinson Il Co. of Advocate. ~
S. She was laden with 600 tons of coai
from itdgeWatcr. n. j.. for Halifax. 1t
is feared that the vessel and cargo will
be total loss, but both are said to be
insured.
Captain Fidler of the Russell claims
that he was also on the starboard tack
with about one point of the sheets
lifted, and was moving rapidly under
the combined influence Of wind and tide
and thinking he had the right of way.
did not change his course. The Rus
sell was bound from Iceboro, Me, for
Richmond, Va, with a cargo Of ice.
She will make temporary repairs here
and proceed