The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-05-22

They treated US In the Knul1est man
ner and finally brought us here on tug"
The admiralty has sent several fast
government vessels from Davenport 70
assist the Paris. winch. II Is reported.
will probably be total wreck.
Among the vessels sent TO the assist
ance OF the stranded steamer is gun
boat. Admiral Fremantle. commander
in-chef at Plymouth. has ordered
number OF torpedo boat destroyers to
hold themselves in readiness 10 proceed
to the scene OF the wreck at a moments
notice.
The news OF the disaster TO the Paris
spread rapidly in London and great ex-
element and alarm was felt until the
arrival OF the information that all on
board were safe. The company's offices
were besieged with inquirers, anxiously
asking for news regarding friends or
relatives on board the steamer.
Further details Of the disaster show
that when the vessel struck the crew
were summoned on deck. The passen-
gers upon appearing were met at the
companionway with comforting words
and assurances of their safety. Excep-
tional GOODNESS was shown on all sides,
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 Fal-
mouth for tugs to assist his ship. In the
meantime rockets were sent UP and
signal guns were fred.
When dawn broke every one on board
was relieved to find the shore on one side
and lifeboats lying near by on the other.
The vessel lay with her head to the
southwest. the reversing OF her engines
| having put her broadside onto the rocks.
Happily the sea was smooth and there
was no wind. Otherwise there would
| probably have been a different tale TO
| tell.
The danger of the vicinity was strik-
ingly brought home TO the passengers
and crew by the masts of the wrecked
steamer Mohegan. which are sticking
| out OF the water and by a miserable bell
| buoy. which tolls almost constantly as
| though sounding a death knell
When Captain Watkins returned from
| his trip ashore he learned that there was
| already considerable water In the hold !;
| and the tugs which had arrived stood by
| in readiness for any emergency. All the
| passengers were transferred To 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 Ameri-
! can line meeting them and providing
them with every care and quartering
them at the various hotels and the sail
4 ors' home
The passengers are lavish in their
| praise OF the admirable behavior OF the
officers and crew. and declare that II was
due to their smartness that no accident
occurred to any one. Perfect discipline,
they say. was maintained throughout.
1t is said that those in charge OF the
Paris were SO perfectly confident that
they were pursuing the proper course
that the vessel was steaming rs or 19
knots an hour when they struck. Though
the steamer ran into a fog about mid
night, nevertheless II is said she was
running at full speed when the acciden
occurred
In connection with the accident 10 the
Paris it win be OF interest to marinCr'
and travellers to hear that perssten
agitation since the wreck Of the Mo
hegan has at last induced the Trinit y
brethren to act. and last week they
promised to erect gas lighted. auto
matte sound producing buoy on tn
Manacles in place or the useless bel
buoy now there.
Gangs Of iNen on lighters have gone tC
the stranded steamer TO take off the be-
longings of the passengers. II Is re-
ported that two forward compartments
OF the Faris are full OF wafer.
One OF the coast guardsmen at Cove.
rack has MADE the following statement
''It was f:2r A. m. when discovered
the lights OF q steamer, close inland, jus
over the wreck OF the Mohesan. l i'm
mediatsyy Gred q rocket, which was re-
spon6eafplin few moments by tha'sig.
nal gum ~ the Paris. Chief letters o.
the cog n guard Summoned bis men and
manneq, !t.ie iifeboht, Unlike the case o
the Mohegan. the Paris -could"be easi'.
seen. The rocket. apparatus was pre-
pared and the first shot discharged. I
failed to reach the vessel: but the secon,
fen across her bows and was quickl!
fastened.
"Tn the meantime the Port Houstocl
lifeboat and the Falmouth tugs RI
sponded. There was q heavy groun'
swell runnirc. with a southwestern
breeze. and IL was very hazy.
"On reaching the Paris Chief Jeffer
found Captain Watkins maintaining tn
best discipline. There were no signs Of
panic. The starboard boats of the Pari
were swung ready Tor launching; all tn
women and children were being collect
ed together. and :Ae prompt arrival o
the tugs facilitated debarSation."
The mails OF the Paris will be for
1 he 1g4.
steamer Kaiser Wilhelm Der Crosse
which sails from here tomorrow.
The passerger liss included s5 frs
cabin passengers. 100 second cabin an
192 steerage