The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-05-26
CITY Of PARIS AGROUND.
An American Liner Fast
on the ManacleS.
THE PASSENGERS LANDED

Early Sunday Morning I'm q Dense Fog
She Goes ON the Rocks Near Fall
mouth-She Lies Easy. With Perfectly
Smooth Sea N Panic Among the
Passengers-The. Declaration Easy.
Dtsehargfug Her Carso-A Big Hole
I'm Her Bottom.
Falmouth, May 21.-The American
Line steamer Paris, Captain Watkins.
from Southampton and Cherbourg for
New York, struck on an outlying ridge
Of the Manacles early this morning at
a point half a mile from where the
wrecked Atlantic Transport liner Moho-
gan lies, and five miles from Falmouth.
The Paris, which sailed from South
ampton yesterday, called at Cherbourg
and picked up fifty passengers. She
left Cherbourg at 6 o'clock last even
ing. Soon after 1 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,
were brought to Falmouth, where they
obtained lodgings for the nifht.
Captain Watkins reported that his
ship was lying comfortably in smooth
water, and that there was no occasion
for any alarmist reports. He reported
the passengers and crew all we'll.
The first intimation of the vessels
striking the rocks was a slight grating
sound, which vas followed by a second
and more pronounced shock. The look
out 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. Assistance was sum-
moned by of rockets, and the
coast guards promptly telephOned to
the ~life-saving station for boats.
A majority of the passengers were not
aware that an accident had happened
until they were called up by the stew
ards. On reaching the deck they found
the ships boats in perfect readiness
for their reception. The sea was per-
fectly calm, and the only discomfort
that the passengers experienced was
caused by the slight rain that was
falling at the time. Owing to the calm
( ness of the sea, the boats could be man
aged with entire safety. Perfect order
prevailed aboard the vessel. Captain
Watkins stood on the bridge giving Or
ders, and his perfect self-possession and
calmness of demeanor had a reassur-
ing effect upon the passengers.
WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST.
In accordance with the instructions
of the captain, the women and chill
dren were the first to be taken off the
ship. Such perfect order was main
tanned that a passenger described the
scene Is simply a slow procession of
women and children walking in a sim
gle file to the boats.
At daybreak the position Of the YES
sci could be better discerned. The
brilliant ST. Anthony light, at the en-
trance of Falmouth harbor, could be
distinguished plainly through the misty
rain, and the still-standing masts OF
the Inflated Mohegan could be seen
near by.
1t is said that a Falmouth pilot boat
showed a warning signal to the Paris,
telling the captain that he would put
the vessel on top of the Mohegan if he
did not alter the course of the ship.
The warming, however, came too late,
and the Paris struck On a ridge to the
westward of the Manacles.
1t is suggested that as this was only
their second trip from Cherbourg the
officers of the Paris were not familiar
with the course. The crew of the Paris
are still aboard the vessel 1t is be-
lieved that the steamer has a large
rent in her bottom in the forward part
of the ship. Tugs are standing by he
and will assist in an effort to get her
off the rocks.
Further details of the disaster show
that when the vessel struck. the crew
were summoned On deck. The passen-
gers, upon appearing, we're met in the
~companionway with comforting words
and assurances of tL.cir safety. Excep-
tional GOODNESS was shown on all sides
the stewards distributing coffee and
J stimulants to all who desired them.
AS SEEN BY A COAST GUARD.
Coverack, May 21.-One OF the coast
guardsmen at Coverack has made the
following statement to a correspondent
of the Associated Press.
"It was 1:21 a. m. today when / dis
lowered the lights of a steamer close
inland, just over the wreck OF the Mo
hogan. I Immediately fired a rocket
which was responded to in a few mo-
ments by the signal guns of the Paris
Chief LETTERS, of the coast guard, sum
moned his men and manned the life
boat. Unlike the case OF the Mohegan
the Paris could be easily seen The
rocket apparatus was prepared and The
first shot discharged. 1t failed TO reach
the vessel, but the second fell across