The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1899-12-29
STILL AFLOAT
ClaudIne and Carson in
Collision.
The WaterIogged Carson Being Tow
ed TO Port--Statements Of Crew
--CIaudne Uninlured,

The American barkeutine William
Carson. Captain J. Piltz. from Newcas-
tie with coal for this port. came into
collision at about $3.50 on Wednesday
night with the Wilders' steamer Clau-
dine. bound for Maui ports and was
abandoned in sinking condition by
her crew five minutes after the disas-
ter
The Carson left Newcastle on No
vember 9Th with a cargo of 1888 tons
of coal consigned to II. Hackfeld & Co.,
and arrived off Koko Head shortly aft
er dark on last Wednesday, Knowing
the dangers of approaching the har-
Dor at night, Captain Piltz decided to
stand off and on till daylight. When
about twelve miles south OF Diamond
Head the lights of steamer were OBJ
served coming from the direction Of
Honolulu, and a remark that a tug was
approaching was made by one OF the
crew. No danger was apprehended UNI
til the vessel, which turned out to be
the Claudine, blew one blast of her
whistle. which signitied that the steam
er's helm had been put over to port,
and couple of minutes later she
crashed into the sailing vessel, max
ing a huge hole in the latters star
board bow. The starboard anchor of
the sailing vessel fouled with the
steamers rail, and the vessels hung
together for two or three minutes, dur
ing which part of her crew clambered
over the bows of the steamer. Five
minutes after the collision the Carson
careened over on her side, and the
hull was awash.
The Claudine promptly lowered her
boats and took off the balance of the
crew of the sinking vessel, and, after
standing by her for about an hour she
steamed back to port and reported the
disaster.
Three lady passengers were landed
from the steamer, preferring to re-
main on shore after the shock expert
enced.
The rescued crew and the captains
wife were obliged to leave everything
behind them in their haste, and as the
day had been rather warm, they wore
but little clothing when landed Cap
tain Piltz and wife went at once to the
Arlington Hotel, while the men were
looked after at the police station.
The Eleu Goes Out.
Early yesterday morning the Eleu,
with Captain PiltZ on board, proceeded
to the scene of the disaster, for the
purpose of discovering If the Carson
had actually disappeared below the
water, and at about 11:45 the vessel
was discovered floating on her star
board side, with her port bilge awash,
masts in the water and yards upright.
After many unsuccessful attempts,
the Eleu at about 1880 p. m. passed
a strong hawser with wire pennant
through a chock on her port quarter,
and one of her crew having dived and
passed the eye over one of the bits on
the poop, she commenced to tow the
wreck stern first in the direction of
the harbor. The Lehua, which had in
the meantime arrived on the scene,
passed another line, which was made
fast to the Eleu
The Iroquois passed an S-inch ma
Mia hawser to the Eleu, having been
unable to secure hold on the water
logged ship, but the enormous strain
on NeoStI DtidihC wv ihuNAi
for her safety, and the line was cast
off but left with the Eleu, and the lro-
quois returned to port, arriving at
about 1880 last night. When she left
the two vessels towing at about $40
D. m. they were about five miles south
east of Diamond Head and had moved
the Carson about six miles toward
mort. The combined power of the two
-, -, ,i, nln af 1acc than
a mile an hour, and it is probable that
they will reach the entrance to the
channel about daylight.
The starboard anchor of the Carson
Is hanging loose, and before she can be
brought into port it will be necessary
to remove this and also her masts;
and even then 1t is possible that her
depth will not allow her safe passage
through the channel.
History of the Vessel.
The William Carson is quite a new
wooden vessel of 791 tons, having been
launched at Eureka, Cal, on June Sd.
She took q lumber cargo from Port
Blakely to Sydney, and from there :
sailed in ballast to Newcastle, where
she filled up with coal and sailed for
this port on November 7th. The voy-
age was a most unlucky one, as on the
ninth day out from her last port fear
full storm was encountered and one of
her crew washed overheard and lost
The Carson is owned by company,
the captain having an interest and
Robert Hind of San Francisco being
Captain Piltz was formerly in COM !
mand of the schooner c. +. Croker.
which vessel met with disaster be-
tween Newcastle and San Francisco /
and had to put into the port of Auck-
land, New Zealand, in partially dis
masted condition some eight or nine
months ago.
When seen yesterday afternoon at
the Arlington Hotel, Mrs. Piltz was
unnerved, but stated "that
the vessels lights were burning bright
ly and the captain and myself were
seated on the poop; the second mate
being on deck and in charge of the
vessel. For over an hour We had seen
the steamers light, but thought the
men ON board knew their business and
WOuld mass astarn Oi ms bllt when she /