The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1901-04-05
CHAPLIN STILL ON THE ROCKS
HER POSITION DANGEROUS AND
DIYERS 4RE At YORK.

They Are Not sanguine of Releasing He
| at Prescnt--Jagged Rocks Pierce He
Hull in Two Places and Hold He
Securely All the Cargo Removed-De
tails of the Stranding OF the Vessel.
Providence, r. l., April 4.-With he
forefoot wedged on bunch of rocks
ten feet from low water mark, on Pru
dence island, the passenger and freigh
steamer Chester w. Chapin tonight Is
temporarily out of commission. She may
come eff on the next high tide, but the
indications point to a story Of severa
days in her present uncomfortable
berth. The steamer ran ashore in the
dense fog of last night after leaving
this port for New York. The island is
in Narragansett bay, twelve miles
down, and with the present foggy
weather is not quickly accessible. The
accident occurred through miscalcula-
ton of distance travelled, in the fog, and
the morning light showed that the
Chapin was we'll out of her course, al
though Captain Appleby has been a
very good foggy weather navigator.
After the steamer struck there was no
commotion on hoard and the crew
showed their splendid discipline. The
passengers were landed about daybrealS
~ hyyf froi
day work on the cargo was continued,
and tonight the steamer is light, but
Jagged rocks in two places in the hull
hold her securely. The divers are at
work, but they are not sanguine of re-
leasing her at this time The steamer
belongs to the New York, New Haven
and Hartford Railroad company, and is
a well known craft in sound traffic.
Details of tho Accident.
AS soon as the accident became
known here tugs were sent to the
stranded vessel, and the passengers
We're removed and forwarded on their
journey to New York by rail. Arrange
ments have been made to undertake
the work of floating the steamer to-
ing the night, but were unable to move
her.
The accident happened at about 9:15
p. M, as the steamer was feeling her
way out from Providence, but 1t was
several hours before the news was re-
ceived in this city. At first 1t was
thought that the steamer could release
herself, as she was proceeding at slow
speed, but after several trials with re-
versed engines, it appeared that the eff
forts We're useless, and two OF the Cha
pins officers started In small boat for
Warwick Neck lighthouse on the west
shore Of the bay below Rocky Point
Keeper Mccain Of the lighthouse as
sisted the officers to communicate with
the city by means Of telephone at
Warwick station.
AS soon as possible two Of the Provi-
1ence Towboat company's tugs, Gaspee
md Ramsey We're dispatched to the is
and. Agent Anthony also arranged
With the officials Of the Providence. Fall
River and Newport line to send boat
% the scene, and the Bay Queen was
sent from Newport to take off the pas
'engers and to render any other service
possible.
The tugs took positions on either side
# the Chaplin, and for several hours
hey strained and pulled on the strand
I'd craft in an effort to move her, but
I'll efforts were fruitless. When 1t was
'een that the steamer would be delayed
or some time, the passengers, who had
fAyt
hown no evidence Of disturbance by
heir experience, We're informed that
hey would be taken off They were
to the Bay Queen, and were
,rought to this city. A special train
vas made up as speedily as possible
md the interrupted travellers started
or New York by rail this morning. Ar
have been made for a large
leet Of tugs to work on the steamer to-
lev
The coming of daylight disclosed the
xact position of the steamer She lies
If the easterly end of Patience Island, !
nd while at first it was thought that
he was in favorable position for be-
ng f1oated. subsequent examination
howed that her hull had been penetrat-
d by rocks as she settled with the fall
ng tide. This fact made 1t evident
hat there would be considerable diff
ulty in floating her. and the towboat
ff1cials declared that most of the cargo |
yould have TO come out, and that pos
IDLY it would require several days'
reparation before the steamer could be
eleased. .-..
Captain Appleby of the Chaplin saws
nat on rounding the point, he stood for
Warwick the required number of min
tes, and then stopped the engines, the
ght not having been seen. Soon after
le boat struck. She lies about 200 feet |
'om land, and the shore is lined with
ockS.
The steamer Is full of water forward |
nd 1T has made its way to the stern.
he engine room Is in a watertight
and can be used If /. is
eemed safe to use her. The cause of |
le ships departure from the true
curse is said to be due to the fog
rem at the Warwick Neck light. about
We miles north of Patience Island.