The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1903-03-21

AdmissIons-CorI ected List of Dead
One Passenger and Five Employees
Lose their Lives Others May Have
Been Swept or Have Jumped Over
bOnrd.
New London, March 20.--The dock Of
pany, at which the badly crippled
steamer Plymouth is tied up, was the
scene of unusual excitement during the
entire day. Crowds of people fiocked
from all directions to view the wreck
of the once magnificent craft and that
of the steamer City of Taunton, which
lay nearby, the other party to the COL
lision.
Gradually the truth of the affair is
coming out; officers are making admis-
sions and it now appears that both of
the steamers were travelling at a rapid
rate although the captains state that
their engines were reversed when they
came together. 1t is clearly evident
that their headway was so great that
the reversing of the engines had not
had sufficient time to affect the speed
or halt the huge vessels.
The number of passengers was larg-
er than is usual at this season and the
strains of the orchestral music and the
hum of conversation had hardly ceased
in the main saloon when the frightful
accident occurred. That more people
did not lose their lives is little short of
miraculous. AS 1t was. the killed were
mostly members of the vessels crew.
unless, indeed, there is possibility that
passengers were swept overheard or
jumped into the water in their excite
ment.. The discipline was excellent.
The following is the corrected list of
the dead:
John F. Mccarthy, watchman, Fall
River, deeapitated.
Unidentified passenger.
John Coleman, colored, pantryman.
Julius Dawson, colored, messman.
John II. Williams, colored, baker.
- Briscoe, colored, pantryman.
The body of Watchrnan Mccarthy was
shipped to his family in Fall River this
afternoon by Undertakers Caulkins &
Prentis. ID.
The body of the unidentified passen-
ger lies at the undertaking room. 1t is
that of man about forty-five years
old. He was five feet ten inches in
height and weighed about 155 pounds.
He wore a close cropped dark beard.
The stranger is believed to be G. Fl.
Marston of New York, who was pass
enger on the boat. s sM. .. ...,>.
The Plymouth was bound for Boston,
the Taunton for. New York, The latter
sounded her whistle frequently, but 1t
was not until the Plymouth's huge
sides loomed up in the mist that he
close proximity was even dreamed. Sig
nails to proceed full speed astern were
given, but without avail. The wheel
was thrown hard over, which only
served to swerve the Tauntons bow so
that the shock of the collision was re-
ceived a. little on the starboard bow.
The Tauntons bow is crushed in as if it
were an eggshell, and the comments Of
the people were that the boat must have
been going at good speed to cause
such rent. The hole in the Taunton's s
bow was, fortunately, above the water
line and there was no danger Of sink
however, without an examination,
which was Immediately made.
Continually sounding whistles of dis
tress the Taunton slowly made her way
into this harbor Tug Harriet went to
the Taunton's assistance and aided the
crippled steamer in making her wharf.
Freight steamer Nashua also stood by
the disabled boat and stood ready to
give any assistance If needed Captain
Babbitt of the Taunton refused to make
a statement until he had conferred with
the officials of the line. The Taunton
reached her berth at the Norwich line
at 5:55 o'clock.
Master Mechanic q. A. Slade of the
marine department Of the Consolidated
system was early in this city. He came
from Stonington when he first heard
the news of the collision. He estimates
that the damage to the Plymouth will
amount to $4,000. This made be a con-
servative statement. The damage to
the Taunton, Mr.. Slade says, will
amount to $4,000. This is surely a con-
servative figure, judging from an out
sider's standpoint. The company, it is
believed, will necessarily have to pay
the claims of the passengers who lost
their effects during the collision.
Captain Elisha Davis Of the Plymouth
stated this afternoon that both steamers
We're going at high rate of speed. The
collision occurred when ten minutes
east of Little Gull Light. There were
55S Passengers on board.
All are accounted for, including one
dead man.
The escape of the Plymouth from
sinking is due to the bulkheads.
Captain Davis would make no state
ment regarding the blame.
ment regarding the blame.
Coroner Brown of Norwich was noti-
fed of the accident and arrived here at
10 o'clock this morning. He stated to
reporter that the collision occurred
outside his jurisdiction, it happening
in New York waters. He would off,
ciate, however. in the case of the dead
passenger in this city.