The Washington weekly post., 1899-05-23

Falmouth, May I.-The American Line
steamer Paris, Capt. Watkins. from South
amptOn and CherboUrg for New York,
struck on an outlying ridge Of the Han
acles early this morning al a point half
mile from where the wrecked Atlantic
Transport Liner Moaegsn lies, and I'VE
miles from Falmouth.
The Paris which sailed from Southsmp-
ton yesterday, called al CheTbOuTg and
picked up MY passengers. She left Cher
bourg at s o'clock last evening. soon
after / o'clock this morning. al aign
tide, and IN "a dense fog, she ran ashore
From the first there was no danger. Lie
boats and tugs were soon literally swarm
ing around the vessel TO render assist
ance. majority Of the passengers, who
numbered 2sO. were brought TO Falmouth,
where they obtained lodgings foF The
night
Capt Watkins reported that his ship
was lying comfortably in smooth water,
and that there was no occasion for any
alsrmist reporjs. He reported the pas
seHgeTs and crew al well.
The first intimatiOn OF the vessels strik-
ing the rocks was a slight grating sound,
which was followed b. = second and more
pronounced shock. The lockout shouted
that there was something looming ahead,
but before there was time 20 reverse the
engines the ship had gone on the rocks,
two hundred yards from the shore. As
sistance was summoned by means OF
rockets, and the coast guards promptly
telephoned 20 the life-saving station 1Or
boats
majority OF the passengers were not
aware that an accident had happened
until they were called up by the stewards.
On reaching the deck they found the
ships boats In perfect readiness for their
reception. The sea was perfectly calm,
and the only discomfort that the pas
Eengers experienced was caused by the
slight rain that was falling at the time.
Owing 10 the calmness Of the sea, the
boats could be managed with entire
safety. Perfect order prevailed aboard
the vessel. Capt. Watkins stood on the
bridge giving orders, and his perfect self
possession and calmness OF demeanor had
reassuring effect upon the passengers.
Women aud Children First.
In accordance with the instructions OF
the Captain, the women and children
We're the first 20 be taken Of the ship.
Such perfect order was maintained that
a passenger described the scene as sim
ply a slow procession OF women and chill
dren walking in a single file to the boats.
Al dayhreak the position of the vessel
could be better discerned The brilliant
St Anthony light. at the entrance Of Fal-
mouth harbOr, could be distinguished
plainly through the misty rain. and the
stil-standing masts of the Inflated Mohe-
gan could be seen near by.
IL is said that a Falmouth pilot boat
shp cfa 20 1a aP.S
telling the Captain that he would put the
vessel on top OF the MOhegan if he did
not alter the course Of the ship The
warning however, came too late, and the
Paris struck on ridge to the westward
OF the Manacles.
II is suggested that as this was only
their second trip from Che-bOurg the Off
GERS Of the Paris were not familiar with
the course. The crew of the Paris are
still aboard the vessel. II is believed that
the steamer has a large rent in her bot
tom in the forward part of the ship. Tugs
are standing by her and will assist in an
EFFORT 10 get her on the rocks.
Further details Of the disaster show
that when the vessel struck the crew were
summoned on deck. The passengers, upon
appearing, were met in the companion
way with comforting words and assur-
ances OF their safety. Exceptional cool
ness was shown on all sides the stew
ards distributing coffee and stimuiants to
ali who desired them.
Fortunate Absence of a High Wind.
Capt Watkins had his gig lowered, and
rOwed ashore in order 10 ascertain his
whereabouts and 10 telegraph to Fal-
mouth for tugs 10 assist his ship. In the
meantime rockets were sent up and sig
a nh
her head 10 the southwest, the reversing
Of her engines having put her broadside
on 10 the rocks. Happily. the sea was
smooth and there was no wind. Otherwise
there would probably have been a differ
ent tale TO tell.
The dangers OF the vicinity were strik-
ingly brought home to the passengers and
crew by the masts of the wrecked steam
er Mohegan, which are sticking ont Of the
water, and by miserable bell buoy,
which tolls almost constantly as though
sounding a death knell.
When Capt Watkins returned from his
trip ashore he learned that there was
already considerable water in the hold,
and the tugs which had arrived stood in
readiness for any emergency All the
passengers were transferred 10 the tug
Dragon. but beyond the clothes they wore,
they took nothing with them. They were
landed at Falmouth shortly after
O'Clock, the local agents OF the American
Line meeting them and providing them
with every care and Quarte-ing them al
the various hotels and the Sailors Home.
When the Paris struck the tide was
within an hour Of flood. and this proved
insufficient 20 raise her of the rocks
Passengers Praise officers.
The messengers are lavish in their praise
OF the admirable behavior or the officers
and crew. and declare that il was due to
their self-possession that no accident oc-
CURED TO any one. Perfect discipline,
they saw, WAS maintained throughout. IL
is stated ths: those in charge OF the Paris
were so confident that they were Pur-
suing the proper course that the vessel
was steaming eighteen or nineteen knots
an hour when they struck.
There will be little danger TO the steam
er il the calm continues, but should the
wind Voer 10 the east OF southeast the
consequences might be serious.
Ia connection with the accident 10 .he
Paris il VIII be OF interest 10 mariners
and travellers 10 hear that persistent agi-
Jatiou since the wreck Of the Mohcsln
has al last induced the Trinity Brethren
TO act and last week they promised 10
erect a gaS-lEhted, automatic SOUND pro-
duc!ng buoy on the Manacles in place Of
The useless bell buoy now there.
Gangs OF men on lighters have gone to
the stranded steamer 10 take OF the be-
longings Of the passengers. II is reported
that two forward compartments OF the
Paris are fun Of water.
\ PsssenE~''. story
Thomas Allen, OF London, q passenger
on the Paris, on his way 20 New York,
said.
Il was in bed when the accident hap
peued. ] heard = grating sound. and
then several hard thumps on the rocks
shook the ship The vessel then seemed
10 stop dead 4 Few minutes later /
heard some one calling. All hands on
deck j reused my chUm. who was still
asleep. and We went on deck. We were
told 70 secure our life belts. and Ne re-
turned below and got them. We were not
allowed 10 return 10 the deck 1t that
time. All were kept waiting below. Al
the rrst summons few OF the passengers