The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-22
The Fast steamef Was Way Out of
Her Course, and How 1t Hap
pened Seems a Mystery.
VAIN ATTEMPT TO BUDGE HER
PARTLY FILLED WITH WATER FROM
BIG HOLE IN HER BOTTOM.
Stories Of the Excited Passengers,
Who Thronged the Deck in
Their Night Clothes.

A
FALMOUTH. May 21.-The American line
steamer Paris, Captain Watkins. from
Southampton and cherbourg for New York,
struck an outlying ridge the Manacles
early this morning at point about a mile
from where the wrecked Atlantic transport
liner Mohegan lies. and five miles from Fai-
mouth The Paris, which sailed from South
ampton yesterday. called at Cherbourg and
picked up fifty passengers. She left Cher
bourg at o'clock last evening. Soon after
/ o'clock this morning. at high tide and in
a 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. was
brought TO Falmouth, where all obtained
lodgings for the night. Captain Watkins
reported that his ship was lying comfort
ably In smooth water. and there was no oc-
casion for any alarmist reports. He re-
ported the passengers and crew all well.
The first intimation OF the vessel striking
the rocks was a slight grating sound which
was soon followed by 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. AS
sistance was summoned by means of rock
cts, and the coast guards promptly tele-
phoned to the life-saving station for boats.
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 passengers 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 aboard the vessel.
Captain Watkins stood on the bridge CIV
ing orders, and his perfect self-possession
and calmness Of demeanor had a reassur-
ing effect on the passengers. In accordance
with the Instructions of the captain. the
women and children were the first to be
taken of the ship. Such perfect order was
maintained that passenger describes 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. The brilliant
ST. Anthony light at the entrance of Fal-
mouth harbor could be distinguished plainly
through the misty rain. and the still-stand-
ing masts of the Inflated Mohegan could
be seen near by.
CAPTAIN WAS WARNED.
II Is said that Falmouth pilot boat
showed a warning sign TO the Paris, telling
the captain that he would put the vessel
on top of the Mohegan IL he did not alter
the course of his snip. The warning. how
ever. came too late. and the Paris struck
on a ridge TO the westward OF the Manacles.
1t Is suggested that, as this is only their
second trip from Cherbourg, the officers of
the Paris were not familiar with the course.
The crew of the Paris is still aboard the
vessel 1t is believed that che 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 or
the rocks.
Further details of the disaster show that
when the vessel struck the crew was sum-
mcned on deck. The passengers, on ap-
pearing, were met I'm the companionway
with comforting words and assurances of
their safety. Exceptional GOODNESS was
shown on all sides. the stewards distrbut-
ing coffee and stimulants to all who de-
sired them. Captain Watkins had his gig
lowered and rowed ashore in order to as
certain his whereabouts and TO telegraph 10
Falmouth for tugs TO assist his ship. In
the meantime rockets were sent up and sig
nal guns were fired.
When dawn broke everyone 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 on the rocks. Happily, the sea
was smooth and there was no wind Other
wise there would probably have been a diff
ferent tale TO tell. The dangers of the
vicinity were strikingly brought home to
the passengers and crew by the masts of
the wrecked steamer Mohegan. which are
sticking out OF the waters. and by a misera-
bic bell buoy. which tolls almost constantly
though sounding a death knell.
When Captain Watkins returned from his
trip ashore he learned that there was al
ready considerable water in the hold, and
the tugs which had arrived stood by in
readiness for any emergency. All the pas
sengers 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 American line meeting them
and providing them with every care and
quartering them at the various hotels and
the Sailors Home.
When the Paris struck the tide was with
In an hour OF flood, and this proved insult
fcient to raise her off the rocks Hundreds
Of people visited the scene during the day
The passengers are lavish in their praise
Of the admirable behavior OF officers and
crew. and declare that it was due 10 their
self-possession that no accident occurred
10 any one Perfect discipline, they say.
was maintained throughout
Il u stated that those In charge of the