Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-07-13

New York Herald, last Thursday.
Nearly 5000 passengers on the ey-
cursion steamboat Republic, bound in
from Atlantic Highlands, we're thrown
into state of panic yesterday after
noon when collision with an outward
bound steamship of Sandy Hook
seemed inevitable.
Passengers on the Republic declare
it was due to the skill and GOODNESS Of
their captain that disaster was averted
and the two vessels were able to pass,
grazing each other, however, in the
passing. The damage did not prevent
the trips being continued.
Tho outward bound steamship is sup
posed to have been either Ward or
Clyde liner. Ono of the passengers Of
the Republic caught sight of tho letters
IA" on the stern of the other. The
afternoon for Havana and other West
Indian ports.
After reaching her berth at Pier 10,
East River, last evening, the Republic
proceeded to the coal dock at Com
munipaw, N. j. She usually makes
a later trip, but whether this was
abandoned because of injuries received
by the impact, or because Of the heavy
/
night could not be learned.
Fog prevented the steamboat from
reaching Long Branch on her l O'Clock
trip yesterday afternoon. She went as
far as Atlantic. Highlands, to which
place special train from Long Branch
had conveyed those who were waiting
for the return trip. Disappointment
that the vessel could not make her
destination was general. Packed to
discomfort with perspiring and disap.
pointed passengers, among whom were
many women and children, the Re-
public began her homeward trip about
8. 30 o'clock
She had to proceed cautiously, fol
the fog almost blurred out everything
beyond ships length. When abou
five miles off Sandy Hook. sbortl,
before 8 o'clock, the dim outlines of |
steamship of the coaster type wer'
made out a short distance away. Sh'
was outward bound.
According to f. w. Hoffman o
Asbury Park, N. j., passenger oil
the Republic, 1T seemed for Will
as If the two must meet head on. Fea
seized the passengers, and the officer
and members Of the crew were power
less to restore confidence. The erie
. of children and the shrieks of wome
added to the confusion.
Nearer the boats approached eac
other, the Republic steering for tn
: channel and the other shaping he
,. course across tho point of Sandy Hook
The Republic was answering her helm
. put hard to port, and seemed to swic
away from the other, but in passin
: the two grazed amidships, the poi
, pa6dlebox of the steamboat strikin
the port quarter of the liner.
Several women tainted and dresse
were torn and ruffled in the stamped
. to the other side. 1t was soon see
! that no serious, damage had been SUI
9 tanned, and the trips were continued
y 1t was some time before order an
y quiet were restored on the excursio
? boat
y A statement was made that the RI
public's captain sounded his whist
four times, but no reply was give
4 from the other.
Three thousand men, women an
a children were delayed in reaching the
u homes from Fourth outing ON ii
y Republic until early yesterday NOR
u ing. They stood waiting on the doc
!. at Long Branch for the boat from T..
. O'Clock until O'Clock yesterday NOR
: ing. Fog had detained the Republ
:, in making the run to Long Branc
Many who had gone on the excursit
Y found accommodations at Long Bran'
10 for tha nipht