Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-05-22
No LIVES WERE LOST
In the Accident to the Steamer Paris,
Sunday Morning.
OFFICERS AND CREW BEHAVED
WITH PERFECT GOODNESS,
AND THE THREE HUNDRED
AND EIGHTY PASSENGERS
WE'RE LANDED AT FALMOUTH.
THE CREW REMAINED ON
BOARD THE SHIP-A GRAPHIC
STORY OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE
BEEN A GREAT DISASTER.

line steamer Paris, Captain Watkins,
from Southampton and Cherbourg for
New York, struck on an outlying ridge
of The Manacles early this morning
at point half a mile from where the
wrecked Atlantic transport liner
Mohegan lies, and five miles from Fall
mouth.
The Paris, which sailed from
Southampton yesterday, called at
Cherbourg and picked up fifty pas
sengers. She left Cherbourg at 6
O'clock last evening. Soon after l
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
assistance. A majority of the passen-
gers, who numbered three hundred and
eighty, were brought to Falmouth,
where they obtained lodgings for the
night.
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 well.
THE FIRST INTIMATION
of the vessels striking the rocks was
a Slight grating sound, which was fol-
lowed by a second and more pro-
nounced 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. Assistance was summoned
by means of rockets and the coast
guards promptly telephoned to the
life saving station for boats.
The majority of the passengers were
not aware that an accident had happen
ed until they were called up by the
stewards. On reaching the deck they
found the ships boats in perfect readi-
ness for their reception. The sea was
perfectly calm and the only discomfort
that the passengers experienced was
caused by the slight rain that was fall
ing 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 giving orders, and
his perfect self-possession and calmness
of demeanor had a reassuring effect
upon the passengers. In accordance
with the instruction of the captain, the
be taken off the ship. Such perfect or
der was maintained that a passenger
described the scene as simply a slow
procession of woman and children
walking in single file to the boats.
At daybreak the position Of the YES
sci could be better discerned. The bril-
liant Saint Anthony light, at the en-
trance to 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 Falmouth pilot boat,
showed 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 warning, however, came too late,
and the Paris struck on ridge to the
westward of the Manicles. 1t is sug-
gested that as this was only their sec
ond 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 believed that the 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 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, were met in the
companion-way with comforting words
and assurances of their safety. Excep-
tional GOODNESS was shown on all sides.
the stewards distributing coffee and
stimulants to all who desired them.
Captain Watkins had his gig lowered
and rowed ashore in order to ascertain
his whereabouts and to telegraph to
Falmouth for tugs to assist his ship.
Ia the meantime rockets were sent up
and signal guns were fired.
When dawn broke every one on
board was relieved to find the shore
on one side and life boats lying near
by on the other. The vessel lay with
her head to the southwest, the re-
versing of her engines having put her
broadside onto the rocks. Happily the
sea was smooth and there was no wind.
Otherwise there would probably have
been different tale to tell.
THE DANGERS OF THE VICINITY
were strikingly brought home to the
passengers and crew by the masts Of
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