The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-22
ON THE ROCKS.
American Liner City of Paris
Goes Aground
Just After Starting on Her
HOmeWard Voyage.
EVERYBODY is SAFE.
The $50 Passengers on Board
Safely Taken OFF.
Accident Occurred Near Scene OF
Mohegan Disaster.

Falmouth. May 22.-The American
line steamer Paris, Captain Watkins
from Southampton and Cherbourg, LOT
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 FaI-
mouth. The Paris, which sailed from
Southampton Saturday, called at Cher-
bourg and picked up fifty passengers
She left Cherbourg at O'Clock soon
after 1 o'clock Sunday morning, at hlSh
tide and in a dense fog, she ran ashore.
From the first there was no danger
Lifeboats and tugs were soon hteraiy
swarming around the vessel TO rehder
assistance. A majority OF the paSSen-
gers, who numbered $50, We're brought
to Falmouth where they obtained Iodg-
ings for the night.
Captain Watkins reported that ms
ship was lying comfortably in smooIh
water and that there was no occasion
for any alarmist reports He reporter
the passengers and crew all Well .
The first intimation of the VesSeFs
striking the rocks was a 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 snip
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 lie
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 readl-
ness for their reception. The sea was
perfectly calm, and the only discomfort
that the passengers experienced was
caused by the slight rain that was fall
ing at the time. Owing to the calm
ness of the sea, the boats could be man
Perfect
prevailed aboard the vessel Captain
Watkins stood on the bridge giving or
ders, and his perfect self-possess1on ana
calmneSS of demeanOr had reaSSurlng
effect upon the passengers. In accord
ance with the instructions of the cap
tain, the women and children were the
first to be taken off the ship. Sucn
perfect order was maintained that a
passenger described the scene as simply
a slow procession of women and chill
dren walking in single file to the boats
At daybreak, the position of the YES
sci could be better diScerned. The bril-
liant Saint Anthony light at the en-
trance of Falmouth harbor could be dis
tinguished plainly through the misty
rain and the still standing mastS of the
Inflated Michigan could be seen near
by.
1t is said that a Falmouth pilot show
ed a warning sign to the Paris, telling
the captain that he would put the YES
sci on top of the Michigan if he did not
alter the course of the ship. The warn
Paris struck on ridge to the west
ward 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.
1t is believed that the steamer has
large rent in her bottom in the forward
part of the ship.
Further details of the disaster show
that when the vessel struck, the crew
was summoned on deck The passen-
gers upon appearing were met in the
companiOnway with comforting words
and assurances of their safety. EXcep-
tionaI 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 on one