The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-05-08

Norfolk, Va, May "a collision at
sea hat cost the lives OF twenty or
more people and the sinking Of the
Clyde Steamship Saginaw by the old
Dominion Steamship Company's lfner
Hamilton, occurred etWeen Winter
quarters Iightship and FenWick Island
lightship on the Virginia at 4:4O
O'Clock this morning.
The Hamilton left New York yester-
day afternoon at , o'clock for Norfolk
and the Saginaw passed out the Vir-
ginia CapeS at 9 o'clock last night
bound from Richmond and Norfolk Tor
Philadelphia \ dense fog settled along
the coast shortly after nightfall and
both vessels were going at reduced
speed when the crash occurred.
The scene of the collision is about
Il or IA miles off the shore and between
$50 and 200 miles south of New FORK,
OF between 125 and 40 miles north of
Norfolk. The fog whistles of both yes
sells were distinctly heard by each other
for several minutes before the COILS
ion occurred. According to Captail
BOaz OF the Hamilton, ms ship was
SOlLla dOOAN 4AAAAC AAA@A~S $500
the Saginaw about 10. The fog was so
thick that objects a ships length away
were invisible and when the two crafts
hove in sight of each other. bow on
there was but Il moments interim Dc
fore they met
The Saginaw yeered as did the Ham
iIton. but they had not the time to
clear Zach other and the kn:fe-!ife
steep prov of the s~outhbOund vessel
struck the CLYDE ship on the port
quarter about twenty feet from her
stern, cutting the entire rear OF the
ship away. The inrushing water
caused the Saginaw to settle rapidly
i'm the stern and the impetus of the
Hamilton took her out of sight of the
crippled vessel. Engines already re-
versed- were put full steam to the rear
and the Hamilton circled to the scene
Of the wreck at the same time lower
ing two life boats. There was conster-
nation among the passengers or the
Old Dominion ship and the first
thought was for her safety, but so
soon as it was discovered that the snip
was uninjured save some bow Plates
being stove in all efforts were directed
to the rescue of the SaglnaW's COM
pany.
When the Saginaw was again sight
ed her stern was under water and he"
bow high in the air. Panic stricken
people rushed over her decks ana
scrambled toward the bow. Life boats
were being lowered and into the first
boat fifteen colored women were
placed. according to second officer W.
/. Morris. who was in m The
boat was SWamped as it struck the
water and its occupants were thrown
into the sea. All were drowned save
the second officer and the colored
Stewardess. who was caught by frSt
officer Goslee and held until I boat
49,, +L- Hamilton rA1PhR1 them ne
woman was pulled in. but the gallant
mate sank Immediately. The woman
died before the small boat reached
the Hamilton. more from injuries re-
ceived by the impact of the collision
thar by drowning.
In the the rush OF waters
into the bow OF the Saginaw had caused
the decks to burst from their fasten-
ings with a roar like the report of big
guns and tons of freight of all descrir-
tons soon Uttered the sea. To these
the struggling people in the water
chung with desperation born OF almost
despair and many were thus rescued
by the boats from the Hamilton and
Saginaw
Before the life boats of the Hamil-
ton had reached the Saginaw, the iat-
ter had disappeared between the waves
and nothing but her topmasts were
visible. Among those several men
were cIinging. one of whom was the
aged captain. J. :. Tunnel. When he
was taken off il was found th1t h.
had sustained severe. If not serious.
internal injuries.
The Hamilton covered the scene or
he wreck for over an hour. bu1 10
sign OF life could be seen among the
mass of floating freight Two BODIES.
one Of 4 man and the other OF 4 woman
both clad only in night dress. were
observed drifting between bales OF
cotton and cases Of goods.
The first news of the disaster WAS
learned At Old Point where the Ham
ilton stopped for a few moments on
her way TO Norfolk
She arrived at her pier in this city
about > O'Clock this afternoon Her
bow plates are stove in and tons Ct
wreckage still chung to her. All Of the
ter line.
On board the survivors of the Sag
nav had been given clothes by the pas
Sengers and Seamen of the more for
tunate vessel and a collection was
taken up among the passengers to be
distributed among them
Captain Tunnel could not DE seen
He was in Il state room on the Haml-
ton and under the care of 4 doctor.
His injuries are said to consist d two
broken ribs and Internal disorders
1t was some time before any definite
statement could De secured lToIu Inc
officials of either line regarding the
real number of people lost and saved
and even now, after the official lists
have been given out there Is a great
discrepancy between the statements of
passengers and the company's state
ment.
According to the Clyde officials the
names OF only eighteen passengers are
known. and it is admitted by second
officer Norris that fifteen colored wo-
men. all - whom are now dead. were
in the swamped life boat.
The crew of the Saginaw numbered