The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-16
SHIPS IN COLLISION OFF TYBEE.
Pilot Boat y. III. EstiII and British
Steamship Thornaby Collide.

The British steamship Thornaby, Capt
Wilson. bound out for Barcelona, put back
yesterday from Tybee on account of a col
lision the night before with the pilot boat
J. H. Esull which was making for posi-
ton TO lower a boat In which to take the
pilot off the steamship. Before the vessel
could be brought to a stop their starbOard
bows struck, knocking a hole in one of
the Thornaby's plates and bending sew
eral others The Estill's bow was badly
twisted and her plank shear was nearly
carried away. Fortunately the hole in the
steamship was not below The water line
so that the collision was about as light as
il could be under such circumstances.
When 1t became apparent to the mas
tiers Of the two vessels that a collision
was imminent 10th reversed their engines
and did everything poEs BILE to avert trou-
BILE. 1t was too late, however, as the
darkness had prevented their getting an
accurate idea of distances, and also Of
determining the speed at which each was
going.
In the absence Of information from the
pilots aboard the Estill at the time of the
collision one side only has been heard
from, which Is The story the steamship
people give Of it, They claim the pilot
boat attempted to cross the Thornaby 5
bows From what has been heard. how
ever, officers Of the Pilots Association and
Tilots now in The city suppose the mas. er
Of the Estill may not have known that
the Thornaby was steaming ahead, which
was the case shortly before the collision.
Under this misrepresentation 1t is posi-.
HE the vessels were too close together to
avoid collision, Notwithstanding the ef-
forts each used to avoid il. The hole in
the Thornabys bow WAS caused by the
fuke cf the anchor OF the pilot boat.
The Thornaby anchored and remained
in the roads until morning. VIXEN she put
back 20 the city for repairs Shortly ate"
she arrived \ board OF survey. consisting
of Maj ]. T. Stewart. Mr. A L. Fare
Capt. Lewis Virgins. Capt Keith of the
steamship Hurworth and Capt. Venus Of
tho steamship Uplands, examined the
damaged steamer and recommended ye-
pairs 10 be made TO her. The hole in her
plate will be patched. after which she wi
proceed on her voyage, the other repairs
if any to be made in another port. Work
will be carried on night and day to get
the vessel out promptly. and save demur-
rage. II IS expected she will be ready to
proceed on her voyage tomorrow.
Capt. NJ. p Usina OF the Savannah Pr
lots Association, would not make any
statement of the Associations side of the
case until after he has seen the d lots on
board the Estil at the time. of the collision.
From what has been reported ne had his
ideas how the vessels came together. but
until definite informant ton is received from
he pilots side he would not discuss the
matter. The work being done on the
steamship was commenced by Capt
Usinas orders. Ia was some time after
this that Capt Wilson of the Thornaby
called al Capt. Usina's office and served
the association with formal notice hold
ing IT responsible for the damage to his
vessel
The Thornaby has large cargo of cot
ton and lumber. The cotton alone is val
ued in the vessels manifest, filed az the
Custom House. at over $4,000. She clear
ed the day she started out.