The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-22

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 Mohe-
gan lies, and five miles from Falmouth.
The Paris, which sailed from South
ampton yesterday, called at Cherbourg
and picked up so passengers. She left
Cherbourg at, 6 o'clock last evening.
Soon after 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 tenders were
soon literally swarming around the
vessel rendering assistance. A major
ity Of the passengers, who numbered
| $50, were brought to Falmouth, where
they obtained lodgings for the night.
Captain Watkins reported that his
ship was lying comfortably in smooth
water and there was no occasion for
any alarming reports. He reported the
passengers and crew all well.
The first intimation of the vessels
striking the rocks was a slight grating
ond and more pronounced shock The
lookout shouted that there was some
thing looming ahead but before there
was time to reverse the engines the
ship had gone on the rocks 200 yards
from the shore. Assistance was sum
moned by means 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 hap.
pened 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
calm and the only discomfort that the
passengers experienced was caused by
the slight rain that was falling 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-composure and calm
ness of deneanor had a reassurine eff
feet upon the passengers. In accord
ance with the instruction of the cap-
tain, the women and children We're the
first to be taken off the ship. Such per-
fect order was maintained that a pas
senger described the scene as simply
slow procession of women and chill
dren walking in single file to the boats.
Warned Too Late.
A& i
sci could be better discerned The bril-
liant Saint 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 Falmouth
pilot 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 a ridge
to the westward of the Manacles.
1t is suggested that as it is their sec
ond trip from Cherbourg the officers of
the Paris We're 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 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 was struck the
crew were summoned on deck. The
passengers appearing were met in the
companionway with comforting words
a 116 Of hat, f1k
tional coolness was shown on all Sides
stewards distributing coffee and stinl-
ulants 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. |
In the meantime rockets We're sent up. |
When dawn broke everyone 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 reversing of |
her engines having put her broadside |
on the rocks. Happily the sea was
smooth and there was no wind. Other |
wise there would probably have been !
different tale to tell.
The dangers of the vicinity We're |
strikingly brought home to the passen- |
gers and crew by the masts of the |
wrecked steamer Mohegan, which are |
sticking out of the water and by a |
miserable bell buoy, which tolls almost |
constantly as though sounding a death |
knell.
When Captain Watkins returned |
from his trip ashore he learned that |
there was already considerable water |
in the hold and tugs which had arrived |
stood by in readiness for any emerg-
ency.
Perfect discipline.
Hundreds of people visited the scene |
during the day
Ihe passengers are lavish in their
praise of the admira BILE behavior of the
officers and crew and declare that it
was due to their self-possession that TO
accident occurred to anyone. Perfect