The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-01-24
English Steamer Ardandhu Was
Sunk.
All But Two of Crew
Were Saved.
Officers Very Reticent About the
Disaster.

Vineyard Haven, Mass, January a.
The Glasgow steamer Ardandhu. Captain
Dundas, from New London, Conn.,. for
Halifax, n. S., was sunk in collision
with the Metropolitan line steamer Her
man Winter, Boston for New York, OF
Robinson's Hole. Vineyard Sound. at
8 40 O'Clock this morning ana two OF the
Ardandhu's crew of thirty -one men were
lost. They were Chief Engineer James
Henderson Of Glasgow and Secon Mate
Fred Bowe Of Boston.
The Herman Winter reached this port
this forenoon with her bow gone and re-
ported the accident. .She had on board the
twenty mine men from this Ardandhu.
The Glasgow vessel was struck about
amidships on her starboard side by the
Herman Winters sharp PROV and was
out half way through. She would have
sunk Immediately but her water tight
compartments kept her adoat for time.
The crew made a rush and 1t was not I'M
til there was time for consultation that 1t
was found that two men were missing,
The Ariandhu drifted towards the
shore and struck on tine southwest end OF
Naushon leland, where she foundered,
going down by the stern, her bow re-
maining out OF wstsr.
she lies In about the same position as
the Clyde steamer Cherokee, which
stranded on Naushon islsnd several
months ago.
The Herman Winter has large hole In
her bow but her collision tulkhsads pre-
vented the water from working aft and
she had no difficulty In making this port.
As soon as tho Winter reached here
Captain Green telegraphed to his agunts
In Boston Of the aocident.
The Boston Tow Boat company also
we're asked to start tug for the scene Of
the wreck at once. TO ascertain whether
the Ardandhu can be saved. 1t 10 CON-
sidersd doubtful by Captain Dundas that
the steamer can be- fioated.
The Ardandhu was comparatively
new vessel She was built at Belfast.
Ireland, in 1888. she was steel boat Of
1884 tons and was owned by Clark g. Co.,
Of Glasgow, Scotland.
line which has been started from New
London to Halifax and thence to Havana.
1he officers and Grew Of the two ste AM
ers are exceedingly reticsnt ~ to tn
cause Of the accident bat from facte
cleaned from amcng them 1t 10 apparent
signal whistles. It is claimed that when
the steamers met this morning. one
whistle was blown by the Herman VIM
ter, indicating that she would 60 to the
right leaving the Ardandhu on tie port
hand but those In charge OF the Ardand-
hu mistook the winters signal for two
whistles which would have ind Heated that
she would pass the east bound steamer to
the lett or on the starboard hand. This
would have put the Ardandhu directly
across the Winters bow and heading for
the shore, in which position she was
when the collision occurred. Neither
captain has made any statsment, how
ever. regarding the cause Of the accident.
John Lee, chief mate OF the Ardandhu,
was In his berth when the steamers came
together. When he reached the deck he
said every one was doing his utmo st to
get on board the Winter. their only OBJ
jeot being to save themselves. No per-
sonal effects were taken After the crew
of the Ardandhu were Cd board the Win
ter and 1t WAS seen that the second mate
and chief engineer were missing, the two
boats being still together. he went back
on board the Ardandhu to sssroh for the
chief engineer, but was unsuccessful. It
Ia the opinion Of Mate Lee that when the
Winters bow passed into the engine, the
chief engineer must have been jammsd in
among the machinery and killed. The
second mate is also supposed to have been
killed by the collision. Captain Dunds
and the Boston Tow Boat Wreoking COM
pany's agent visited the Ardandhu this
afternoon aud found that her bow had
slid Of the bank upon which 1t had an
parently rested, and the ship now lies In
an upright position In about ten fathoIns
OF water with the top Of her masts and
smoke stack above water. As she Is near
Iy In the track OF vessels passing through
Vineyard Sound, the wreck 10 exceeding
ly dangerous to navigation. The Merritt
Wrecking company has been engaged to
n-IZ II A A.. AAnw
washed out Of the steamer and are drift.
ing in Vineyard Sound.
STEAMERS WORTH $3.50,
Boston, January 2a-Capt. Grove of
the Herman Winter has been instructed
to make temporary repairs and proceed