Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-14
SHIP STRIKES A ROCK
The Old Dominion Meets Disaster
Just Below the City,
NOW AGROUND Off TREE HILL
Passengers and Baggage Brought Hero;
Be Gotten on To-Day.
THE HAMILTON IN COLLISION
She Encounters the German ste amct
Macedonin, which Is Believed q
THE HAMILTON IN COLLISION

The steamship Old Dominion. OF tho Old
Dominion Steamship Companys line. rar
afoul of several sunken rocks II
James river opposite the Richmond Cedar'
Works yesterday afternoon, and crashing
large hole in her hull forward Of the
engines. began rapidly TO I'LL with waten
She was run ashore off Tree-Hill farm
where she rests easily and apparently
in no danger. Her passengers were taker
off on tugs and returned 20 this city.
The Old Dominion cleared from her
wharf ut Rockets about o'clock, and
was proceeding under full steam down
the river. When just opposite the Cedar
Works she met the Pocahontas inward.
bound, and both ships veered from theiI
course I'm order 10 effect a free passage
The old Dominion. however. went furthei
out Of the channel than was at first
thought. and ere her engines could be
reversed or her speed checked, she crash
ed on the rocks on which two OF the
Cedar-Works' barges met their fate SOM,
months ago.
WATER RUSHED IN.
The Pocahontas kept on up TO heI
wharf unaware OF the accident that had
belallen the larger craft, and aside from
feeling the shock Of the impact the pas
sengers on board Of the Old Dominior
knew nothing OF what had happened
Captain Tapley, in charge of the Ole
Dominion. appreciated that he had strucl
a rock, but die not at first think any
Chi In
few minutes, however, the forward COM
partments began TO I'LL with water, and
the pumps were set actively 10 work,
while the ships carpenter cndeayored 20
locate and stop the leak. His ef'
forts proved futile though. and as
the hold began rapidly 70 I'LL,
and there appeared 70 be danger OF
sinking, Captain Tapley ordered the en-
gines To check their speed ard headed for
the shore.
THERE WAS NO EXCITEMENT.
He was then opposite Trce-Fiill farm.
and selecting q mud fiat for the purpose,
ran the nose Of his vessel well up on the
shore, and there let her lay.
Messengers were at once dispatched 10
Richmond and in short time the OH
Gals of the company sent a tug to the
scene. and as rapidly as possible the pas
sengeTs. about thirty in number, were
taken off and returned here. There was
no excitement among them, and the
ships crew worked with as much pre-
cision under the direction Of Captain Tap
ley as though they were accustomed &c
accidents every day.
There were ten frst-cass passengers.
and they were first brought up the river.
together with their baggage. The tug
then returned and took off the second
class passengers, about twenty in num-
Der. most OF whom were negroes, and
among them there was some excitement
though of a suppressed nature.
HOLE IN FORWARD COMPARTMENT.
An investigation OF the damage done 10
the ship showed that there was a large
hole In her forward compartment. ana
that fourteen feet of water was in that
norton Of the hold. IL so happened, how
ever, that there was but little freight IN
this part OF the ship, the custom or the
company being TO save the forward por'
| ton OF their ships for Norfolk freight.
The cargo Of the vessel consisted chiehy
| OF tobacco, tobaccO-stems. and wooden
ware from the Cedar-Works. 1t was light
| ly loaded.
lust how much damage has been done
! tho cargo cannot now be estimated, be-
cause as yet no one has been down into
| the hold 10 inspect IT, A telegram was
sent last night to Norfolk and wreck
ing tug win reach here this morning. The
| old dominion steamship AlbemarIe will
also arrive mere to-day, and with the as
| sistance OF the two ships the company
expects 10 float the stranded vessel this
afternoon. IL is thought that she can be
sufficiently repaired 90 be towed to the
dry-doeks at Newport News. and there
the damage done to. her can be readily
repaired.
TALK WITH CAPTAIN MAYER
CAPTAIN John r. Mayer. the Richmond
agent OF the company. was Informed or
the accident between 6 and o'clock last
night. He arose from a sick bed, where
he had been confined for several Gays.
and came 10 Ford's Hotel, where he be-
gan taking steps 20 save passengers ana
cargo and have the vessel hoated. tie Sc
cured the services Of the S,edar-Works'
tug. Lucille Ross, to bring the passengers
to this city. He also wired TO the Merritt
Wrecklng Company, at Norfolk, 10 send
a wrecklng-tug here at once To raise the
vessel He received assurance that help
would be received this morning.
Captain Mayer expressed the deepest
regret az the accident. but said he felt
sure no blame attached 10 Captain Tapley.
lie said he supposed the cargo WAS IN
CONCLUDED ON SEVENTH PAGE)