The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-22

VESSEL EN- ROUTE TO NEW YORK
Captain Watkins and Crew Not
Familiar With Course.
2s7 PASSENGERS WERE ABOARD
Many of Them Did Not Know of 1t
Until Awakened by Steward.
RESCUE WAS IN PERFECT ORDER
Women and Children First Placed in
Lifeboats and Sent Ashore YES
,, sci Filling With Water and
Still on the Rocks

Falmouth, May 21.-The American line
steamer Paris, Captain Watkins, from
Southampton and Cherbourg for New
York, struck on an outlying ridge of The
Manacles early this morning at a point
half mile from where the wrecked At
lantic line steamer Mohegan lies, and five
miles from Falmouth. The Paris, which
sailed from Southampton yesterday, called
at Cherbourg and picked up fifty passen-
gers Soon after o'clock this morning at
high tide and in dense fog she ran ashore.
From the first there was no danger. Life
boats and tugs were soon literally swarm
ing around the vessel to render assistance.
A majority of the passengers, who num-
bered $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 that there was no occasion for any
alarmist reports. He reported the passen-
gers and crew all well.
The first intimation of the vessels strik-
ing the rocks was a slight grating sound,
which was followed by a second and more
pronounced shock. The lookout shouted
that there was something ahead, but be-
fore there was time to reverse the engines
the ship had gone on the rocks. two hum
dred yards from the shore. Assistance was
summoned by means of rockets, and the
coast guards promptly telephoned to the
lfe-saving station for boats.
! IL We're Not Aware of Accident
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 recep-
tion. The sea was perfectly calm, and the
only discomfort that the passengers ex-
perienced 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 or
der prevailed aboard. Captain Watkins
stood on the bridge giving orders, and his
perfect self-possession and calmness of
demeanor had reassuring effect upon the
passengers. In accordance with the in
struction of the captain the women and
children were the first to be taken off the
ship. Such perfect order was maintained
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
gan could be seen nearby
Showed Warning sign Too Late
1t is said that a Falmouth pilot boat
showed a warning sign 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, how
ever, came too late, and the Paris struck
on a ridge to the westward of The Man
acles.
1t is suggested that as this is only their
second trip from Chebourg, 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 a
large rent In her bottom in the forward
part of the ship. Two 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 passengers upon
appearing were met in the companionway
with comforting words and assurances of
their safety.
Exceptional ooolness 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 mean-
time rockets were sent up and signal guns
were fired. When dawn broke every one
on board was relieved to find the shore
on one side and lifeboats lying nearby on
the other. The vessel lay with her head
to the southwest, the reversing of her en-
gines having put her broadside onto the
rocks. Happily the sea was smooth. and
there was no wind. Otherwise there would
probably have been q different tale to tell.
The dangers of the vicinity were strlk-
ingly brought home to the passengers and
crew by the masts of the wrecked steamer
Mohegan, which were sticking out of the
water and by miserable bell buoy which
tolls almost constantly as though sound
ing death knell.
Water In the Hold
When Captain Watkins returned from
his trip ashore he learned that there was
already considerable water In the hold,
All the passengers were transferred