The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-05-22

dlInOulnt May N.-Ihe American
line steamer Paris, Captain Watkins,
from Southampton and Cherbourg for
New York, struck on an outlying ridge
of the Manacles early this morning at
a point half a mile from where the
wrecked Atlantic transport liner Mohe-
gan lies The Paris, which sailed from
Southampton yesterday, called at
Cherbourg and picked up fifty passen-
gers. She left Cherbourg at o'clock
last evening.
Soon after 1 o'clock this morning, at
high tide and in dense fog, she ran
ashore. From the first there was no
danger. Life boats and tugs were soon
literally swarming around the vessel to
render assistance. A majority of the
passengers, who numbered $50, were
brought to Falmouth where they OBJ
tanned lodgings for the night.
Capt. Watkins reported that his ship
was lying comfortably in smooth water
and that there was no occasion for any
alarrnist reports. He reported the pas
sengers and crew all we'll The first
intimation of the vessel striking the
rocks was slight grating sound, which
was followed by a second and more
pronounced shock. The lookout
shouted that there was something
looming ahead, but before there was
time to reverse the engines the ship
had gone on the rocks, two hundred
yards from the shore. Assistance was
summoned by means of rockets and the
coast guards promptly telephoned the
life saving station for boats;
A majority of the passengers We're not
aware that an accident had happened
until they were called UP by the stew
ards. On reaching the deck they found
the ships boats in perfect readiness Tor
their reception. The sea was perfectly
calm, and the only discomfort that the
messengers experienced was caused by
the slight rain that was falling at the
time. Owing to the calmness Of the
sea the boats could be managed with
entire safety Perfect order prevailed
abord the vessel. Capt. Watkins stood
on the bridge giving orders, ana ms per
feet self possession and calmness OF de-
meanor had q reassuring effect upon
the passengers.
In accordance with the instruction of
the captain, women and children We're
first to be taken off the ship. Such per-
feet order was maintained that pas
senger described the scene as simply
slow procession of women and children
walking in single file to the boats.
At daybreak the position OF the Vessel
could be better discerned. Inc prll-
liant Saint Anthony light at tne en-
trance of Falmouth harbor could pc
distinguished plainly through the misty
rain. and the still standing masts or the
U-fated Mohegan could be seen near
II is said that Falmouth pilot boat
showed a warming signal to the Paris,
telling the captain that he would put
the vessel on top Of the Mohegan II ne
didn't alter the course OF the SNIP me
warning, however, came 100 late, anu
the Paris struck on a ridge TO the west
ward Of the Manacles. 1t is suggested
that as this was only their second trip
from Cherbourg, the officers Of the Paris
were not familiar with the course.
Thomas Allen of London, passenger
on the Paris. who was on his way 10
New York to appear as a witness IN
the Edison monograph frauds case
said:
II was in bed when the accident hap
Dened. l heard a grating sound, ana
Then several hard thumps on the rocks
shook the ship. The vessel then
seemed to stop dead. A few minutes
later / heard some one calling, All
hands on deck!' 1 reused my chum,
who was still asleep, and we went on
deck We were told to secure our NE
belts, and we returned below and got
them. We were not allowed to return
to the deck at that time
All were kept waiting below. At the
first summons, a few of the passengers
appeared in their night clothes, but as
soon as they discovered that there was
no danger. they returned to their rooms
and made themselves ready to leave the !
shin. The passengers behaved in the
best possible manner. There was no
screaming on the part of women, and
the most perfect order was maintained. |
We were kept waiting below for an
hour. Coffee and biscuits were served |
and then we entered the ships boats. /
Steam tugs brought us to Falmouth
The crew of the Paris are still aboard |
the vessel. 1t 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 as
sist il an effort to get her on the rocks.
The scene of the wreck is about five
miles from Falmouth Among the
passengers Of the Paris were many poor |
female emigrants, mostly foreigners.
All have been safely housed in the sail
ors home here.
The admiralty has sent several fast
vessels from Davenport
to assist the Paris. which, it is report |
ed. will probably be a total wreck
Among the vessels sent to the assist
ance Of the stranded steamer is al
gunboat and Admiral Edmund Albert /
FremaEtle. commander-in-chief at Ply
has ordered number of tor
pedo boat destroyers to hold them |
selves in readiness to proceed to the