The record-union., 1899-05-22
Ran Ashore in a Dense Fog at
High Tide
q an Outlying Ridge of the
ManacIeS.
About Five Miles From Falmouth,
England, Near the Wreck OF the
Liner Mohegan-The Sea Was
Calm and the Passengers were
All Taken Off in Safety-Not
Known Yet Why the Steamer
Was OFF her Course.

w dS On ACI OoH4
FALMOUTH (England), May 21.-
The American Line steamer Paris, Cap
tain Watkins, from Southampton and
Cherbourg, for New York, struck on an
outlying ridge of the Manacles early
this morning at a point half mile
from where the wrecked Atlantic trans
port line Mohegan lies. and five miles
Nfrom Falmouth. The Paris, which
sailed from Southampton yesterday,
called at Cherbourg and picked up fifty
passengers. She left Cherbourg at q
O'Clock last evening. Soon after l
o'clock this morning at high tide and in
dense fog she ran ashore. From the
first there was no danger. LifeboatS
and tugs were soon literally swarming
around the vessel rendering assistance.
A majority of the passengers, who
numbered $50, We're brought to Fal-
mouth, where they were lodged for the
night
Captain Watkins reported that his
ship was lying comfortably in smooth
water and there was no occasion for
any alarmist reports.
He reported the passengers and crew
all well.
The first intimation of the vessel
striking the rocks was a slight grating
sound, which was followed by a second
and more pronounced shock. The look
out shouted that there was something
looming ahead, but before there was
time to reverse the engines the ship
had gone on the rocks 200 yards from
the shore. Assistance was summoned
by means of rockets and the coast
guards promptly telephonsd to the life
saving station for boats.
A number of the passengers We're not
aware that an accident had happened
until they We're called up by the stew
ards. 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
passengers experienced was caused by
the slight rain that was falling at the
time. Owing to the calmness. of the
sea, the boa ts could be managed with
entire safety. Perfect order prevailed
aboard the vessel. Captain Watkins
stood on the bridge giving orders, and
his perfect self possession and calm
ness Of demeanor had a reassuring eff
feet upon the passengers. In accord
ance with the instruction of the Cap
tain the women and children were the
first to be taken off the ship. Such per-
feet order was maintained that pas
senger described the scene as simply a
SLOW procession of women and children
walking in single file 10 the boats.
At daybreak the position of the vessel
could be better discerned. The brilliant
st. Anthony light, at the entrance of
Falmouth harbor, could be distin-
guished plainly through the misty rain
and the still standing masts of the i'll
fated Mohegan could be seen nearby
1t is said that a Falmouth pilot
showed warning sign to the Paris.
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 Mahacles
1t is suggested that as this is their
second trip from Cherbourg the officers
of the Paris were unfamiliar with the
course.
The crew of the Paris is still aboard
the vessel.
1t is believed that the steamer has a
large rent in her bottom in the forward
part of the ship. Tugs are standing by
her and will assist in an effort to get
her off the rocks
Further details of the disaster show
that when the vessel was struck the
crew were summoned on deck. The pas
sengers appearing We're met in the COM
panion way with words of assurance as
10 their safety. Exceptional coolness
was SHOWN on all s.des, the stewards
distributing coffee and stimulants to all
who desired them
captain Watkins had his gig lowered
and rowed ashore in order to ascertain
his whereabouts and to telegraph to
Falmouth for tugs to assist his ship.
In the meantime rockets were sent I'D
and signal guns were fired
When Captain Watkins returned
from his trip ashore, he learned that
there was already considerable watel.
in the hold and the tugs which had
arrived stood by in readiness for anv
emergency. All the passengers We're
transferred TO the tug Dragon, but be-
yend the clothes they wore they took
nothing with them. They We're. landed
at Falmouth shortly after o'clock. the
local agents of the American Line
meeting them and providing them with
every care and quartering them at the
various hotels and the Sailors Home
ii. W. Southworth, one of the pas
sengefs, an Englishman, says: THE
Parls had good weather most of the
evening, the moon being about three
quarters full and at the zenith at 8
O'Clock The weather was misty, but
not foggy
When the vessel struck most of the
passengers were asleep. She seemed to
rise. then quivered. grated over the rock
and stood still with a slight list to port
The shock suggested striking a dere-
hct or a small vessel and the possibility
of being on the rocks. therefore. was
not suggested until the stewards were
heard crying: All hands on deck
Captains orders
Many came on. deck in their night
clothing. One man wore his drawers
and his wife's fur cape but his APP
pearance caused so much smiling that
his wife sent him down to dress. which
he did in the music room, to the equal
amusement of all. There were no signs
Of panic. The soundings made showed