The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-06


that cost the lives Of 90 or more persons
and the sinking OF the Clyde steamship
Saginaw by the Old Dominion Steamship
companys liner Hamilton occurred be-
tween Winter Quarter Lightship and
Eenwick Island lightship on the Virginia
coast at 4:40 o'clock yesterday morning
The Hamilton left New York Monday
afternoon at o'clock for Norfolk and
the Saginaw passed out the Virginia
capes at 3 o'clock, bound from Richmond
and Norfolk for Philadelphia. dense
fog settled along the coast shortly after
nightfall and while going through this
fog at reduced speed, the Hamilton
crashed into the saginaw's side about 20
feet from the stern.
The scene OF the collision is about IL
or IA miles off the shore and between $50
and 200 miles south of New York and
between l25 and 40 miles north Of Nor
folk.
The fog whistles Of both vessels were
distinctly heard by each other for sew
eral minutes before the collision occur
red. According TO Capt Boaz Of the
Hamilton, his ship was making about
nine miles an hour and the Saginaw
about TO-
The fog was so thick that objects a
ships length away were invisible and
when the two crafts hove in sight or
each other. bow on. there was but mo-
ment's interim before they met,
CUT STERN OFF.
The Saginew veered, as did the Hamil-
ton. but they had not time TO clear each
other, and the knife-like steel prov OF
the south-bound vessel struck the Clyde
-sAip-eH- the port quarter about 20 feet
from the stern. cutting the entire rear
OF the ship away. The inrushng water
caused the Saginaw to settle rapidly in
the stern, and the impetus OF the Ham
ilton took her out of sight OF the crippled
vessel.
Engines, already reversed, were put
full steam to the rear. and the Hamilton
circled to the scene OF the wreck. at the
same time lowering two lfeboats.
There was CONSERVATION among the
passengers OF the Old Dominion ship. and
the first thought was for their safety, but
as soon as IL was discovered that
the ship was uninjured save that some
bow plates were stove in. all efforts were
directed TO the rescue OF those on the
Saginaw.
When the Saginaw was again sighted
her stern was under water and her bow
was high in the air. Panic-stricken
people rushed over her decks and
scrambled toward the bow. Lifeboats
were lowered and into the first Is col
ored women were placed. according TO
Second Officer w. l.. Morris. who was
in command The boat was swamped
as II struck the water and it's occu-
avatg Inc. thA
were drowned save the second officer
and the colored stewardess The lat
ter died before the small boat reached
the Hamilton. more from injuries re-
ceived by the impact OF the collision
than by drowning. She had been held
up by First Mate Gosee. who sank
himself as the small boat from the
Hamilton reached them.
DECK BLEW Up
In the meantime the rush OF water
into the bow Of the Saginaw had caused
the decks to burst from their fastcn-
ings with a roar like the report OF big
guns. and tons OF freight Of all de-
scriptions soon Uttered the sea.
To floating wreckage, the struggling
people in the water clung with despera-
ton. Many OF them were rescued by
the boats from the Hamilton and Sagi-
nav.
Before the lifeboats Of the Hamilton
had reached the sjsrtrrrw- tfft-ia latter
had disappeared and nothing but her
topmasts were visible. To these sew
cral men were cinging. one Of whom
was the aged captain, j. s. Tunnel.
When he was taken or II was found
that he had suffered severe, II not seri-
Gus. internal injuries.
The Hamilton hovered around the
scene Of the wreck for more than an
hour. but no sign Of lie could he seen
among the mass OF floating freight
Two bodies one Of man and the other
OF woman. both clad only In night
dress. were observed drifting between
bales Of cotton and cases Of goods.
The hrst news of the disaster was
learned at Old Point. where the Hami
ton stopped for few moments on her
way 10 Norfolk.
She arrived al her pier i'm this city
about O'Clock yesterday afternoon. Her
bow plates are stove In and much wreck
age still clung 10 her. All Of the damage,
however. was above the water line.
The survivors Of the Saginaw on board
the Hamilton had been given clothing
by the passengers and seamen on t'e
more fortunate vessel and n collection
distributed among them
NUMBER OF PASSENGERS.
II was some time before any definite
officials OF either line regarding the real
number loet and saved, and. even now.
after official lists have been given out.
there s great discrepancy between the
statements of passengers and the com
pany's statement.
According to the Clyde line officials.