The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-05-22

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 mile from where the wrecked
Atlantic transport liner Mohegan lies.
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 I'm dense fog. she ran ashore.
From the first there was no danger
Lifeboats and tugs were soon literally
swarming around the'vesse to renG6r
assistance. A majority OF the passen-
gers, who numbered $50. were brought to
Falmouth. where they obtained lodgings
for the night.
The first futtmatton or the vessels
striking the rocks was a slight grating
sound which was followed by 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, 200 yards from the
shore. Assistance was summoned by
means OF rockets, and the coast guards
promptly telephoned 10 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 stewards.
On reaching the deck they found the
ships boats in perfect readiness for their
reception. The sea was perfectly calm
and the only discomfort that the passen-
gers experienced was caused by the
slight rain that was falling at the time.
Owing Go the calmness os thu 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-possesslon and calmness of de-
meanor had reassuring effect upon the
passengers. In accordance with the in
etruction OF the captain the women and
children were the first 10 be taken of the
ship. Such perfect order was main
tained that a passenger described the
scene as simply a slow procession OF
women and children walking in single
file to the boats.
AT daybreak the position OF the vessel
could be better discerned. The brilliant
Saint Anthony light at the entrance of
Falmouth harbor could be distinguished
plainly through the misty rain. and the
still standing masts n the ill-fated
Mohegan could be seen nearby.
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
warning. however. came too late and the
Paris struck on a ridge to the westward
Of the Manacies.
II is suggested that as this was orly
their second trip from Cherbourg the Of
iicers Of the Paris were not familiar with
the course.
Thomas Allen OF London passenger
on the Paris who was on his way to New
York to appear as witness in the Edi-
son photograph frauds case. said: Il
was in bed When The accident happened.
heard grating sound and then several
hard thumps on the rocks shook the ship
The vessel then seemed TO stop dead. A
few minutes later heard someone cali
ing. All hands on dack.' | reused my
chum, who was still asleep, and we went
on deck. We were told 10 secure our life
belts. and we returned below and got
them We were not allowed to return TO
the deck at that time. All were kept
waiting below. At the first summons a
few OF the passengers appeared in their
night clothes. but as soon as they dis
covered that there was no danger they
returned 10 their rooms and made them
selves ready TO leave the ship. The pas
sengers all behaved In the best possible
manner. There was no screaming on the
part OF the women and the most perfect
order was maintained. We were kept
waiting below for an hour. Coffee and
biscuits were served out, and then we
entered the ships boats. Steam tugs
brought US TO Falmouth"
The crew of the Paris are still aboard
It is believed that the steamer has a
large rent in her bottom In the Forward
part OF the ship. Tugs are staRaing by
her andLrill assist IN an effort 10 get her
off the rocks. The scene Of the wreck Is
about five miles from Falmouth.
Among the passengers OF the Paris
were many poor female emigrants. most
~ foreigners. All have been safely
housed In the sailors home here.
one OF the women describes her ex-
perience as follows: II was awake when
the vessel struck heard a dragging
sound and felt a shock: then the engines
stopped. l went up stairs TO IND ou
what the matter was. / could see the
land quite plainly. | thought the ship
had stopped TO take on passengers.
didn't think there was anything wrong
and returned TO bed and stayed ther,
half an hour. when a steward told me "a
get up. ] said There's my baby
Don't wake him. The steward replied
If you want 10 save your baby get up.
got up and dressed myself and the haby
ond went deck. We were mucf