New-York tribune., 1899-06-15
LOSS OF THE MACEDONIA.
NO LIVES SACRIFICED IN THE COLLISION
WITH THE HAMILTON.
SAILORS CRITICISED FOR LEAVING THE
DAMAGED VESSEL~REPORT on
THE ACCIDENT.

fathoms OF water about seven miles south or
Scotland Lightship and one and half miles off
shore and her two masts and the top OF her
funnel can be seen from the shore protruding
above the water.
The officers, passengers and crew OF the Mace
donia are all safe. although 1t thought for
a while yesterday that some OF them were lost,
and there was great anxiety until they made
their appearance in this city in person OF the
thrty-two men aboard the Macedonia at the
time OF the accident nineteen found safety by
climbing up the Hamilton while the two
ships together. and seven more reached
shore in one Of the Macedonia's boats as was
exclusively stated In yesterdays Tribune, and
came to this city by rail from Long Branch
The second boatload from the Macedonia. of
whose whereabouts no one for a long time had
any idea was brought here in safety yesterday
morning by the steamer Rescue Of the Merritt
Chapman Derrick and Wrecking Company. and
the officials of the New-York and Cuba Line
heaved a sigh Of relief as they realized that at
last all were accounted for. This boatload con-
sisted OF six persons-Captain Kuffahl, the chief
engineer. the second officer, a fireman, and
Charles ". Moss and Herman Brandt, who were
passengers on the Macedonia.
PICKED Up BY THE RESCUE.
They were picked up early yesterday morning
by the Rescue which had gone 10 look for
them. and with them the story OF the
sinking Of the Macedonia. and incidentally
fresh impetus to Indignation commonly ex-
pressed against the Macedonia's crew for de-
serting their ship soon as there was any
danger. The fact that a large part OF the crew
clambered aboard the Hamilton directly after
the collision has been severely commented on,
but with every criticism Of the action Of the
crew and some Of the officers have been min
gled words Of praise for Captain Kufahl. who
stuck by his ship 10 the last.
Mr. Moss condemns the conduct Of the purser.
chief steward, mate and the members Of the
crew, who scrambled on the Hamilton after the
crash came and who. in his language, were
scared TO death"
"Of course" he said 81 do not charge that
these men did not do their duty, for do not
know what their duty But It does seem
strange that all the heads of the ship should
make the first effort to get off. Just before
the vessels came together they were about, and
then the next thing I knew they were all on
the Hamilton. They were nice officers. and they
led nice crew
When asked about the accident yesterday. Mr
Moss said:
THE vessels came together about o'clock.
and the six passengers were forward waiting
the call to supper. The tables were ready and
we expected to be called any moment. 1t was
foggy at the time, but thought that II did not
amount 10 much, when suddenly the big hull OF
the Hamilton loomed up out of the fog on our
starboard side. and then knew how deceptive
the fog was. I could not see her strike from
my position forward, as she did not strike for
ward. She caught us about ten feet aft OF mid
ships. on the starboard side. tearing the side Of
the Macedonia off. The men on the Hamilton
had seen that a collision was inevitable. and
they had ropes thrown out almost as soon as
she struck. By means Of these ropes most OF
the officers and some Of the passengers left the
ship. The captain was on the bridge and he was
as cool as though the Macedonia was leaving
her pier He ordered the boats lowered.
PARTED IN THE FOG.
The Hamilton was by about FIVE minutes
when they parted, and she went off again in
the fog. Six Of the crew who remained launched
the small boat. and We got into it. The cap
tain was the last man to leave the ship. and he
only did so because ne was Convinced she was
sinking. We pulled off from the side little
distance Then the captain. seeing that the YES
sci would not go down at once. returned and
remained until o'clock at night, when she
sank. I was with him all that time. returned
to the Macedonia in order TO get the records Of
the Ouartermasters Department that were on
the vessel l managed TO save a desk full Of
PAPERS but a trunk full OF valuable records is
now at the bottom.
About o'clock II apparent that she
could not stay above water mary minutes, and
we left her Again the captain went last. We
had Just left when the Macedonia went down
We reached the pilot boat New-York. and re-
mained there for the night. Early this morn
ing they slgnalled to the Rescue and We were
taken aboard and brought TO the city"
Captain Kufrahl arrived at the New-York and
Cuba Line Office about IL o'clock yesterday
morning with Mr. Moss. and was about TO make
a statement 10 the reporters when he was ex
citedly called off by the representatives OF the
agents Of the line. After conference with
them ne refused to talk.
TO TRY TO SAVE THE CARGO
The Macedonia was one OF the vessels char
tered by the Ward Line during the war with
Spain. and was owned by A. c. de Fretas &
Co. OF Hamburg. The agents in this city are
Bennett Walsh & Co. She carried twenty thou
sand bags OF sugar for the American Sugar Re-
1ning Company. and a small consignment Of
copper The sugar is said to be valued at
$4,000. and the copper at about $1,000. The
agents OF the Macedonia refused TO give her
value. but she is supposed 10 be valued at about
$S5 600
The question TO who is to blame for the
collision will probably resolve itself into ques-
ton Of veracity between the captains OF the
two vessels 1t is understood that Captain Kuf
fahl made a statement TO the agents that he
heard the captain OF the Hamilton blow his
whistle twice and not once as ne has stated.
Charles W. Moss IS the clerk OF Quartermaster !
Moses Walton. L. s. V. who also OF
the Macedonss passengers. and is on his way |
from Cuba 10 Manila.
The Merritt Chapman Derrick and Wrecking |
Company will send wrecker and divers out to- |
day 10 try and save the cargo OF the Macedonia |
and II possible save the ship herself. The COM |
PAM holds out small hopes. however. and says |
that the sugar will probably dissolve before any
op1 bay afr os bs.fr