The Globe-republican., 1899-05-25
UIYOF PARIS on THE ROCKS
American Liner Goes Ashore Near
Wreck Of the Mohegan.
ALL PASSENGERS ARE RESCUED

FALMOUTH, May 22-The American
line steamer Paris, Captain Watkins.
from Southampton and Cherburg for
New York, struck on an outlying ridge
of the Manacles early Sunday morning
at q point half a mile from where the
wrecked Atlantic transport liner Mo-
hogan lies, and five miles from Fal-
mouth. The Paris. which sailed from
Southampton Saturday, called at
Cherburg and picked up fifty passen-
gers. She left Cherburg at o'clock
Saturday evening. Soon after
clock Sunday morning, at high tide
and in a dense fog, she ran ashore.
From the first there was no danger.
Lifeboats and tugs were soon liter
ally swarming around the vessel to
render assistance. A majority OF the
passengers who numbered $50, were
brought to Falmouth were 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 alsrmist reports. he reported
the passengers and crew all well.
The first intimation of the vessels
striking the rocks was slight graf
ing sound, which was followed by
second and more pronounced shock:
The lockout 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
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
readiness for their reception The
sea was perfectly calm, and the only
discomfort that the passengers expe-
rienced 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-possession and calmness OF de-
meanor had a reassuring effect upon
the passengers. In accordance with
the instruction of the captain. the
women and children were the first to
be taken off the ship Such perfect
order was main aimed that passen-
ger described the scene as simply
slow procession of women and chill
dren walking in single file to the
boats
1t is said that a Falmouth pilot
showed warning sign to the Paris.
telling the captain that he would put
the vessel on top Of the &ohegan it 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 Manacles.
1t is suggested that as this is only
their second trip from Cherbourg. the
officers of the Paris were not familiar
with the course.
Captain Watkins had his gig low
cred and rowed ashore in order t" as
certain his whereabouts and to tele-
graph 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
on one side and lifeboats lying near
by on the other. The vessel lay with
her head to the southwest, the revers-
ing Of her engines having put her
broadside onto the rocks. Happily,
wind. Otherwise there would prob
ably have been a different tale to tell.
The dangers of the vicinity were
strikingly brought home to the pas
sengers and crew by the masts of the
wrecked steamer Mohegan, which are
sticking out of the water, and by a
miserable bel! buoy, which tolls al
most constantly as though sounding
. death kneil
There is about sixteen feet of water
In the three forward compartments,
but the engines are apparently I'M
harmed. 1t has been decided to await
special salvage apparatus and the
next tide to-day. The sea is still
smooth and the work of Tightening
proceeds
Mrs Batchcler, sister of United
States Senator Vest, of Missouri who
embarked Al Cherbourg, says the
weather was wet and nas,y when they
left port. She retired early and at
about ! o'clock was awakened by a
tremendous crash. which at first
seemed to arise from the machinery.
Then everything became SO quiet that
she did not leave her berth Soon
afterward. however, she was aroused
BY q steward. who urged the passen-
gers to dress and go on deck imme-
diatelv. Putting on few things.
Mrs Batcheler hurried above and
found hundreds of half dressed pas
sengers there before her.
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