The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-31
VESSELS CRASH
TOGETHER AT SEA
CONTINUED From First Page)

the side Of the pilot house with such
force that two OF the heavy plate glass
windows were smashed. Tho C~olumbla's
engines had been ordered stopped, but
under their great momentum he terked
herself free from the prov. which was
imbeddcd In her side. The Foecolia's bow
was wrenched of, much OF the debris
~clinging fast TO the wound. A great rent
in the Columbia was disclosed. extending
from a foot below the protected deck six
feet below the water line.
COLLISION BULKHEAD QUICKLY
CLOSED.
Collision quarters were sounded on tina
Columbia almost before the Prov had EN-
tered her side. The watertight compart-
ments were all tightly closed before the
collision, so the men were available for
other duties. Captain Sands had hurried
TO the bridge at the first alarm and or
dered a survey OF the damages. As the
Columbia continued to list to starboard
he had her weighted on the port side.
Water ballast vas shifted, guns were run
out as though general quarters had
been sounded and the boats were swung
out as though to launch them. The effect
of these CONFERENCE.-The was to leave con-
siderably less OF the gap below-the water
line. A force of men went over the dam
aged side to cover the gap as well as
they could with canvas.
In the meantime. crews were manning
the boats 70 go 10 the rescue OF the sea-
men on the Foscolia. for when she drew
of IL was seen she was DOWN by the head
and I'm danger OF sinking. The cruisers
searchlights were called into use and cut
the gloom In the search OF the tramp.
The light on the bridge fell across the
Foscolia and the others were thrown upon
her. The crew were seen lowering their
boats, ana the cruisers boats at once shot
out In their direction. White the rescue
was effected, the work of making tempo
rary repairs on the Columbia was con-
.tinued. She proceeded toward Sandy
Hook at half-past four o'clock, when tina
boat containing Captain Evans and i've
others Of the Foscolia's crew was picked
up.
SAVED BY HER PROTECTIVE DECK.
The heavy protective deck undoubtedly
saved the Columbia from being cut in
two. When the Foscolia crashed into
her her prov struck the steel deck, thu
checking the work of destruction.
Captain Evans and his men were land
cd at the Battery over the Staten Island
ferry. He has been commander OF the
Foscolia for a month. The Foscolia was
valued at $4,000 and her cargo was
worth, It was estimated, about 500, 900.
Wrecking crews In barges were sent TO
the scene OF her laundering. TO save
what they could OF the cargo n TO
learn IL the steamer could be raised The
Foscolia was owned by Watts, Watts
& Co.. OF London. She was launched in
June, 1879. at Newcastle, England, was
OF iron and schooner rugged, and was
252 feet long. with a beam OF "a feet
and a depth Of % feet and Z inches. Her
gross tonnage was 1886, and her net ton
mage $50. She had compound engines
and four water-tight bulkheads.
SUNK THE wYANOKE.
This is the second time the Columbia
has sent a merchant vessel TO the bot
tom. On the night OF April Is. 1896. the
Old Dominion line steamship Wyanoke.
while entering Fortress Monroe. was
swept across the ~forefoot OF the big
cruiser and tmpaled herself on tho sharp
bow, sinking tea minutese later.
The Wyanoke had l07 passengers. A
number OF passengers were drowned.
The Columbia vas practically unin-
jured.
A board OF inquiry exonerated the off,
GERS OF the Columbia from all blame.
Considerable 81 luck has marked the
career of the Columbia h has touch
fU OOlIOIH SfNtIdi lliElNNs TIT Of(C wan
injured getting out OF dry dock.
She was built by the Cramps. OF Phila-
delphia. and launched on July p, 1892.
Miss Edith Morton. daughter OF Vice.
President Morton. christened her.
The Columbia was designed. built and
has since been used as a vessel 20 run
away from rather than seek a battle.
She has a remarkably clean pair OF heels.
making easily twenty-five knots an hour.
The Minroan polls 10 about the only large
vessel in the navy capable OF beating her
IN a run.
Her length Is 40 feet. beam KS feet.
and displacement 1850 tons. Her horse
power Is 10000. She has three screws,
each directed by separate engfnes SO
that In case OF breakdown ono screw can
drive her through the water.
The coal capacity Is very large, tne
1000 tons. giving her a sailing radius OF
90 go miles. a distance greater than the
circumference OF the earth.