New-York tribune., 1899-06-14

She was Of 2.?6s tons was $50 feet long, All
feet In breadth and 22.2 feet deep. She was
built at stockton. England. in 1894
The Hamilton is the latest addition to the Old
Dominions fleet OF coastwise steamers. She
began running at the opening OF the present
season She Is one OF the two new steamers
launched in the fore part Of this year at Ches-
ter, Penn. The vessel is 80 feet long, win
beam Of AZ feet and depth Of q feet. She mas
triple-expansion engines Of 3loo horse-po"e'
and a speed of seventeen knots. She mas ac-
commodations for 100 frst-class and ~ s'eerass
passengers. The Hamilton carried over one
hundred and fifty passengers. Among thenh
were fifty second-class apprentices from 'he
training ships who were bound for the Norfok
Navy Yard in charge of Joseph Hill, gunner
OF the Vermont The apprentices were to be
detailed to duty in the Manila fleet.
CAPTAIN DOLE's STATEMENT.
Captain Dole was seen in his cabin on the
Hamilton soon aft .r the vessel reached her pier
at 1l:30 last night. and in speaking OF the
accident said
AT about 5:55 o'clock this afternoon. while
the vessel somewhere between North Long
Branch and Seabright. and while running at
slow rate OF speed in a heavy fog, we ran INTO
the Macedonia, OF the Ward Line. l was on the
deck at the time. A few seconds before the COL
lsion 1 saw the Macedonia within boats
length. Both ships blew the proper signals. and
the accident not due to any cross In signals
The Macedonia blew one signal and the Hamil-
ton blew once also. l heard the Macedonia's
whistle just before | caught glimpse OF her
outline, but it was too late to turn the vessel
so as to escape striking the Macedonia.
The instant / saw the Macedonia I gave the
signal three whistles which means full speed
astern. We were then too close TO the Mace
donia for a quick reversal of engines TO
check the speed OF our vessel l could not check
the headway Of the vessel, and we struck the
Macedonia about where her mainmast was.
Il could not tell right away how badly the
Hamilton had damaged the Macedonia, or how
badly my vessel had suffered from the collision
The bow Of my vessel stuck fast for some time
in the hole IL stove in the starboard side OF the
Macedonia. and kept the bow in the hole as
long as possible so as to give the persons on
board the Macedonia chance to climb ABOARD
my ship If they wished. / saw small boat low
cred from the injured ship, and the members OF
the crew, captain and passengers, VINO nad not
come aboard my ship. got into the small boat
I'm order TO keep the bow OF the Hamilton
firmly in the hole l sgnalled to keep the en-,
gines going which order was quickly carried
out | saw three of the passengers OF the
Macedonia and some of the crew scramble OF
board of,my boat l thought that the Hamilton
must be seriously injured owing TO the force o.
the collision, so signalled to withdraw from the
Macedonia, l afraid that the longer
remained keeping my vessel in the position she
was the greater would be the fisk or suHerlns
severe injuries.
Before l gave the order to steam away from
the Macedonia I received assurances that the
persons on the Macedonia that had not scram-
bled board Of the Hamilton had put of In
boat for shore
When we drew away from Macedonia
signaed TO head with full speed for the beach.
/ was afraid might be in sinking con-
ditiOn. AS we were steaming for the beach
we kept the pumps going and made soundines.
When near the beach a hasty examination
showed that We were In no danger or sinKine'
and that, although the forward compartment
was-fuli OF fwater, the cargo had not been dam
aged at ALL"
the Macedonia ne said: Il think she probably
foundered but heard 4 report that she was
affoat. Soon after we steered away from the
Macedonia heard her whistle blowing, ana l
thought at the time that some one on board was
signalling for the feboat containing some or
her crew and passengers 70 return. | thought
the persons on board might have found out that
the vessel could be kept ahoat and was calling
10 the people In the boat In order to get them 10
reboard her and work the pumps
WENT NEARLY HALF WAY THROUGH.
John Moss. mate Of the Macedonia. who was
There was a dense fog at the time OF the acci-
dent We could not see length ahead. The
Macedonia was blowing the usual signals and
was proceeding slowly when all Of sudden
we heard the whistle Of the Hamilton and then
she doomed up and crashed into our starpoerd
side There were women on board tne MACE
donia The collision was terrific that l ex-
pected the ship to sink at once. The Hamilton
went nearly half way through the snip Inc
crew and some Of the passengers climbed on
board the Hamilton by means OF rope Inc
Hamilton backed on in three or four minutes
The rest OF the crew and the three remaining
messengers took 70 one OF the small boats Inc
last seen Of them they were drifting away IN
the fog. believe the Macedonia sank
CONFUSION ABOARD THE HAMILTON.
Some Of the crew OF the Macedonia who were
on board the Hamilton were OF the opinion that
the Hamilton ought TO have waited TO pick up
the entire crew.
In the saloon cabin Of the Hamilton early this
morning a number Of women who we're pas
senRers on board the Hamilton still appeared
10 be much affected by the fright Incidental 70
{ the collision They thought all were gong 70
the bottom. The most outspoken OF all were
the young sailors destined for the norfolk Navy
Yard They said that many members OF the
/ Harnilton's crew had acted in demoralized
/ they rushed wildly about and seemed 10 nave
lost their head. Their captain however, denied
| this and said his were at all times cool
! and collected.
TWO BOATS RUN AGROUND.