New-York tribune., 1899-02-15
ALMOST A COLLISION.
THE ETRURIA AND THE CRUISER MAR
BLEHEAD NARROWLY Es-
CAPE A CRASH.
SUDDEN APPEARANCE OF THE WAR VESSEL ~
THE THICK FoG-QUIcK REVERSAL OF EN-
GINEs SAVES THE GREAT SHIPS
FIERCE GALES ENCOUNTERED.

FIERCE GALES ENCOUNTERED
In addition to the many more less appre-
hensive incidents attending voyage OF one
continuous buneting by heavy and strong gales,
the passengers of the Cunard liner Etruria.
which arrived yesterday. had the exciting ex-
perience on Monday morning Of narrowly es-
Gaping a collision with the United States cruiser
Marblehead
At 10 o'clock on the morning named, when
about seventy miles from Sandy Hook. the Off
GERS on the bridge Of the Cunarder were startled
by the appariton. as Captain Ferguson de-
scrbed it. OF a large vessel looming out of the
thick clouds Of driving sleet and snow on the
port bow. only a few lengths ahead OF the
Etruria, and making directly across the bows OF
the latter vessel Chief officer Barr was the
officer on the watch. and was on the bridge
with Captain Ferguson. Instantly Mr. Barr,
diyIning the danger that threatened, signalled
10 reverse the engines. Then. when the Etruria
had slowed down TO a standstiH. the order was
given 10 60 full speed ahead, and. with the helm
hard astarooard the Cunarder passed closely
under the stern OF the Marbehead SO close, In
fact, were fhe TWO vessels, that despite the
mist the officers on the bridges waved their
hands 70 one another. in thankfuness, no doubt,
of the escape from the collision which for a few
minutes seemed so imminent
HEADED TO THE EASTWARD.
At the time the cruiser was headed to the
eastward She left Boston for Havana about
the middle Of last week on Friday, however
the Marblehead covered with ice. was reported
10 have sought shelter at Provincetown Mass
That she was in the path Of the incoming liner
would seem 10 indicate that she had resumed
her long journey southwark. but had been
caught by the blizzard. and riding il out
on the Long Island coast.
Captain Ferguson, Of the Etrurla was averse
10 saying much about the escape yesterday. but
he remarked that If his vessel had struck the
Marbehead abeam, as would have happened
undoubtedly II the engines had not been
versed, the cruiser must assuredy have gone
20 the bottom
The Etruria usually reaches this port on Sat
urday, but in consequence Of the gales she n
countered all the way across the Atlantic and
the blizzard which she ran into on Monday,
causing her TO put about 10 sea again. it was
not until yesterday afternoon that she arrived at
her pier.
THE WORST IL HIS EXPERIENCE.
Speaking to a Tribune reporter Of his passage,
Captain Ferguson said it was the worst he had
ever made In the many years Of his experience.
The trouble was" ne explained the gales
We're continuous. AS rule, when We have
bad voyage we run into gale lasting perhaps
tWeuty-f0ur or thirty hours. Then usually
have q spell of fine weather before striking
other gale. But on this trip it nothing but
gales and high seas right straight along from
the time We left the lflSn coast. Inc spray was
so thick 10 be likened 70 nothing more ap-
proprate than frozen fog.
The Etrura struck the blizzard at 10 o'clock
on Sunday night. when off the Nantucket Shoals
The fun force Of ii, however, was not expert
enced until about | o'clock on Monday after
noon. when the storm increased 70 such In
tensity as 10 make ii impossible 10 a boats
length ahead. 1t was then deemed inadvisable
10 attempt TO make port and accordingly the
steamer put back 70 sea again For nfteen
hours. at speed Of eight knots. the Etruria was
headed seward At $50 O'Clock yesterday
morning the storm moderated, and the ships
nose was once more turned in the direction OF
this port.