The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-09-26
arRuok rnr rnrrnron rnrcn
Schooner Run Down by an Unknown Pro-
peller on Watch Hill.

- ~ WI WuNNh Hi
NEW LONDON. Conn. Sept. 25.-At ten min.
utes past ~ this morning the large three
masted schooner A. p. Emerson. Capt. FRANK
Haley. Of New York. was struck twice by IN
unknown propeller of Watch Hill. and as a
result tho Emerson is badly damaged fore and
aft. Luckily, the schooner was not injured
below the water line. and after several hours
labor the crew managed to work her nearly TO
the mouth OF New London harbor. where she
was picked up by the tug Alert and towed into
port, anchorlnR in the lower harbor.
The Emerson IL owned by @. w. Crane OF
New York city and has 300 tons Of plaster rock
aboard from Hillsboro. N. B.. consigned to the
Newark Lime and Cement Manufacturing Com
pany Of Newark. N ].
Capt. Haley said the schooner started from
Hillsboro Sept. IA. and had had favorable
weather nearly all the way down the coast.
On Saturday night at 10 minutes before mid
night the schooner was lacking before a six
knot southwest breeze and was two miles
offshore southeast OF Watch Hill Lighthouse.
AliRht haze hung over the water, but objects
could be discerned a considerable distance
ahead.
Mate BENJAMIN Keefe was on watch up to
midnight and was about to call Capt. Haley
from below to take his place when he noticed
the red light Of q vessel coming from the west
through the Sound and apparently steering in
a southerly direction. As the vessel approached
the schooner she was seen to be n large pro-
peller. Soon the red and green lights were
both visible. and before the schooner's crew
could realize that q collision was inevitable the
propeller had struck the Emerson q terrific
blow astern on the port side. A large hole was
out clear across the stern just above the water
line. and the rail. davits and small boat were
swept away The spanker boom and spanker
were also carried away.
The propeller was under such headway that
she continued on for quite a distance before
stopping. Capt. Haley made a hasty examina-
ton OF the damage done to his vessel. and
breathed easier when he found she was not
leaking. The small boat cut loose astern was
tho only means the crew had OF escaping from
the schooner. and had the Emerson sunk there
would have boon little chance for them to save
their lives. A half hour after the collision the
propeller slowly approached the wrecked
wanted. Capt, Haley shouted in response, as
the propeller passed a hunndred feet away. that
a ns asfifed he E s% a4riv sGG ct t Tee bd a%er ( Few laid %i1 to
schooner. She came under such Roadway that
carrying, away her bowsprit. jibboom and all
her head sails. with the exception OF one jib
Capt. Haley started for New London. After
the propeller struck the Emerson the second
time she steamed out into the Sound and sig
nailed a steamer coming from the east.
Capt. Haley said the two steamers were side
by side a half mile to the southwark when he
set sail for New London. As the Emerson
passed the life-saving station at Watch Hill u
torch was burned. showing that the schooner
was In distress. and the life savers telephoned
here to WrecEer Scott, who sent the tug Alert
to the schooner's assistance.
Tit Emerson's Captain declares that the two
lights were burning brightly on the schooner
when she was run into. as they were examined
Immediately after the collision and found to be
all right.
The City OF Fall River. which got here yester-
day afternoon. reports that while passing
Watch Hill, r. l., shortly after midnight she
sighted q schooner apparently disabled and a
large propeller lying, near It. The propeller
light and gave the message. Have run down a
schooner; will tow her into port" The City Of
Fall River then passed on without definitely
recognizing the propeller.
One OF the officers said last night that he be-
lleved the propeller was the Horatio Hall Of the
Maine Steamboat Company. from New York
for Portland. The deckhands say that It
seemed to be one Of the Portland boats and
that by means OF her searchlight they could see
the crew OF the disabled schooner at work on
her.
At the Maine Steam boat Company's pier it
was said that the Horatio Hall had left on time
on Saturday, and should be passing Watch Hill
about midnight. An officer on the Manhattan.
q Maine line steamboat that arrived in this city
yesterday afternoon, said that the Manhattan
passed the Horatio Hall off Cuddyhunk. Mass,
about three hours behind time. but showing no
signs OF having been in a collision.