New-York tribune., 1899-10-13
CHESTS BOAT IN A CRASH.
THE FLETCHER. CHARTERED BY SIR
THOMAS, STRIKES A FERRYBOAT.

4 score or more Of Sir Thomas Lipton's guests
who we're aboard the steamer william Fletcher
on their way to the Sandy Hook course received
a shaking up and a fright shortly before :
o'clock yesterday morning In n collision which
the steamer had with the ferryboat West Brook
lvn which was coming to her slip at the Battery
from Thirty nnth-st.. South Brooklyn The fog
was so thick that the pilots could not SEQ hfty
feet ahead and both boats were keeping UP an
almost continuous whisting but there were
dozens Of other steamers and tugs doing the
same thing and the various signals became
confused When just north Of Castle Williams
on Governors Island. the pilot Of the fIetcher
gave two whistles and put his helm 10 star
board Within n minute after that the lerIy
boat loomed through the fog and in less time
than # takes 10 tell II the two boats came to-
gether. the bow Of the Fletcher striking the
starboard wheelbox Of the West Brooklyn and
then elancing along her side and under the pro-
iectlng deck Of the ferryboat. A big hole was
punched in the paddle box and the outer iron
rim, Of the wheel was bent and twisted The
Fletcher's bow was torn away. carrying with it
the flagstaff. from which hoated Sir Thomas
Lipton's big green ensign with its golden sham
rock and her forward guardrails were smashed
for a distance OF about twenty feet
Many persons ou the vessels we're thrown
from their feet by the shock and on the ferry
boat which was crowded. the people became
panickv and rushed to the side Of the boat
under which the nose Of the Fletcher was stuck.
This sunk the forward part Of the Fletcher al
most TO the guardrails. and things began TO
look dangerous for those on board.
'Go 70 the other side and let us back away"
shouted Lord Charles Bercsford from the deck
Of the Fletcher to those on the fcrryhoat
whats to become Of u.s." excitedly inquired
a white faced man on the West Brooklyn.
"Oh. you'll be all right Get back. say re-
Piled Lord Charles and the crowd oheylnc him.
the Fletcher backed of. 30 sooner had she
done so than Lord Charles dashed down the for
ward hatch to see II there was any damage
below He was followed by W J. Pirrie. the
designer Of the White Star steamship Oceanic
and shortly afterward both returned on deck
and reported that there was no injury 10 the
hull.
In the mean time the tug +. 5. Atwood had
towed the West Brooklyn. which was floating
helplcssy. to her pier. whence she was subse-
qucnlly taken TO South Brooklyn for repairs
on board the Fletcher all excitement had been
alaved by David Barrie and others. and the
boat returned to the Barge Office pier. where her
passenccrs-aN but two or three who had got
enough Of fog naVigatiOn-Vere taken on
hoard the tug Atwood and out 10 the course
II was discovered subsequently that the
Fletcher was leaking and she. too. went away
for repairs officials of the ferry company lay
the blame for the accident upon the Fletcher.
hit some Of those on board of her said that her
captain. William Relyea had done every thing
POSSIBLE to avert the collision.
Among those on the Fletcher we're Lord
Charles Reresford. William Gibson J NJ Litter.
O. c.. Mr. and Mrs. !. T.. o. Young O. T. W VIII
Jams c. +. Hands. correspondent of Tho Lon
don Daily MAR. Mr.. and Mrs Ferdinand W.
peck. of Chicago. Nj and Mrs Clarence Peck.
p " ponfed Secretary Craig Of the Royal
Ulster Yacht club and Mrs. Craig and Mr. and
Mrs F. D. Madeira of baltimore