The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-05-23
OH the ROCKS
Steamer Paris Caught on the
Manacles OFF Falmouth.
ARE SAFELY LANDED
American Liner Runs on "a Reef In IA Dense
Fog and Is still Fast Aground-strikes
the Rocks Only Short Distance From
the Wreck of the Ill Fated Mohegan.
Pilot Boat Displays Tardy Warming.

Pilot ISOat Displays Tardy Warming.
FALMOUTH, May 22.-The American
line steamer Paris, Captain Watkins,
from Southampton and Cherbourg, for
New York, struck on an outlying ridge
of the Manacles early yesterday morn
ing, at a point half a mile from where
the wrecked Atlantic transport liner
Mohegan lies, and five miles from Fail
mouth. The Paris, which sailed from
Southampton Saturday, called at
Cherbourg and picked up 90
passengers. She left Cherbourg
at 6 p. IN. Soon after a. M, at
high tide and in dense fog, she ran
ashore. From the first there was no
danger. Life boats and tugs were soou
literally swarming around the vessel to
render assistance. A majority of the
passengers, who numbered $50, were
brought to Falmouth, where they OBJ
tanned lodgings for the night. Captain
Watkins reported that his ship was
lying comfortably in smooth water and
that there was no occasion for any alarm
list reports. He reported the passengers
and crew all we'll
The first intimation of the vessels
striking the rocks was slight grating
sound, which was 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, 200 yards from the
ctnp T.
means OF rockets, aud 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 perfectly calm, the
only discomfort that the passen-
gers 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
vessel. Captain Watkins stood ON the
bridge giving orders, and his perfect
self possession had reassuring effect
upon the passengers. In accordance
with the instructions of the captain, the
women and children were the first to be
taken off the ship. Such perfect order
was maintained that passenger de.
scribed the scene as simply slow pro.
cesslon OF women and children walking
In single file to the boats.
Warning Game too Late.
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 west
ward Of the Manacles. It is suggested
that as this is 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 believed that the steamer
has 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. In
the meantime rockets were sent up and
signal guns were fired.
When dawn broke. everyone on board
was relieved to find the shore was on
one side and life boats lying nearby on
the other side. The vessel lay with her
head to the southwest, the reversing of
her engines having put her broadside
onto the rocks. Happily the sea was
smooth and there was no wind. Other
wise there would probably have been q
different tale to tell.
The dangers of the vicinity were strik-
iugly brought home to the passengers
and crew by the masts of the wrecked
steamer Mohegan, which ara sticking
out of the water, and by 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 the tugs which had arrived stood
by in readiness for any emergency. All
the passengers were transferred to the
tug Dragon. but beyond the clothes they
wore they took nothing with them.
When the Paris struck, the tide was
within an hour of the food, and this
proved insufficient to raise her off the
rocks.
Still on the Rocks.
An effort was made to tow the Paris
off the rock. Three tugs We're engaged
at full pressure, with the steamers
steel hawsers and its own engines as
sisting for half an hour. The attempt
was entirely unsuccessful, the steamer