Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1903-03-21
COLLIDE In A FOG
FATAL CRASH OF STEAMERS IN
LONG ISLAND SOUND OFF
NEW LONDON, CONN.
HALF 4 DOZEN LIVES LOST

Hull CT the Steamer Plymouth Stove in
by the City Of Taunton and . Num-
ber of the Crew Are Drowned in
Their eerths-vessel Has Seven
Hundred People on ooard but No
Panic Occurs.
New London, Conn, March 2l.-ln
the fog which descended over the
waters of Long Island sound the big
Fall River line steamer Plymouth,
from New York for Fall River, with
500 passengers and crew Of 200 men.
was run down while passing through
the Race by the freight steamer City
OF Taunton Of the same line bound
from New York. At least six persons
lost their lives and as many more were
injured one fatally. A hundred feet
OF the starboard side of the vessel was
smashed in as II 1t had been paper,
the staterooms of the second cabin
were entirely cut away, while down
in the hold members of the crew who
were asleep in the steerage were
drowned by the torrent of water that
rushed through the great gap made
by the bow Of the freighter. The list
of known dead follows: John McCar.
thy watchman, head cut of; Snow
Coleman. negro pantryman. drowned );
julius Dawson. negro messman.
drowned; John Bristol, negro waiter.
drowned; John William, negro baker.
drowned; Jonathan w. Thompson.
Wilkesbarre, Pa, aged about fifty
years, skull shattered
Although greatly terrified the people
aboard the stricken ship exercised re.
markable self-control and there was
no panic.
The accident occurred after the
vessel had made her way up the sound
through the fog until she reached a
point east of Gull island. The City
OF Taunton drove up out OF the fog and
when she was sighted by the officers
OF the Plymouth was too close to avoid
the collision. There was a quick eX-
change Of signals and then the crash
The bow of the City of Taunton pene.
tated ten feet into the hull of the
Plymouth and as she backed away
she raked the upper works Of the pas.
senger vessel tearing out the second
cabin and ripping the staterooms to
pieces. Water poured into the hold
and drowned the men in their hunks
Makes the Harbor Unassisted.
The Plymouth was immediate.
headed for this city 1t was IT.
at one time that the ships cor.
would have to take to the h5at
the closing Of the collision bulan a.,
prevented the water from gaining a.
the vessel made the harbor and :. l., t
unassisted. AS the Plymouth wa b.
Ing made fast to the wharf there was
seen to be hole ten feet square In
her hull on the starboard side about
thlrty-fve feet from her bow. while
iot hundred feet her joiner work
hal oeen carried away. including the
entire second cabin and seven state.
rooms on the saloon deck.
captain I. Fl. Low of the United
states marine corps, with Lieutenant
william &. Harlee and seventy i've
marines. occupied the second cabin on
N ''"C where Tue CRASH was Ielt, IL
Is thought the marines lost all Of their
spare clothes. which were in their
Mapsacks. None of the marines was
Killed or injured
he City of Taunton made this port
al 10 a. M. with her bow stove in
ana her pumps working. Her bulk
nead saved her from sinking.
soon after their arrival here the
WORK OF removing the cargo from both
vessels was begun. Special trains
We're made up for Boston for the pas
sehgers who desired or were able to
eontinue their journey.
me appearance of both vessels
SHOWS the immense force with which
.ney came together. Torn and twisted
pieces OF iron and the entire bow torn
oa' Is the sight presented by the City
iaunton, while on the Plymouth
.ne state of chaotic confusion of mat
uesses, bedding, garments, furniture
alu panelings, together with twisted
oafs OF iron. give evidence that the
'esseis did not respond to their ma.
onIhery much before they came to-
many stories OF narrow escapes
hom death or serious injury were told
~ passengers on the Plymouth IL.
:, 80 Aack and wife of Taunton occupied
me rue stateroom adjoining that of Mr..
,hohpson. who was killed. Both We're
,seSefely bruised. Mr. Zack praised
'Ne conduct of the steamers officers.