Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-12-15
THOMAS KELLS'
EXPERIENCE
Aboard Steamer Bellinsham
When 1t Collided With the
Flyer at Seattle.
BELLINGHAM TORE
HOLE In PORT SIDE
PASSENGERS We're Much Excited.
All We're Saved,
However.

Thomas keilS, whose home is in
this city, was in bed aboard the
Bellingham when it collided with the
Flyer at Seattle, Wash.
Within five minutes after the Flyer
had pulled from her dock she collided
with the steamship Bellingham, hav-
ing in tew the sound boat Dode.
In less time than it takes to tell it,
the Bellingham crashed into the Flyer,
tearing hole in her port side just
abreast of the engines The Dode also
crashed against the Flyer, but the
Bellingham did the most damage.
Had she been travelling under full
speed, the Tacoma passenger steam
ship would have been cut in two.
After the crash the Flyer was help
less and drifted against the German
ship Chile, tied up at one of The buoys
in the bay. AS a result the stem OF
the Flyer was splintered. The ship
escaped uninjured. The lower portion
of the Stem Of the Bellingham was
carried away, and also her forefoot.
The Dode also suffered serious DAM
ages and when an inspection was mad .
it was found that the vessels stem
had been torn off entirely. In re-
bounding from the Flyer, the Dode
collided with the BelIingham and the
side of her was STAYED in.
Great assistance was rendered by
the fireboat Snoqualmie, United State s
revenue cutter Manning aud The tug
Mystic. All three vessels answered
the signals Of distress. The small
boats from the Manning rescued the
passengers from the Flyer and carried
them safely to shore.
Shortly after the collision the Flyer
proceeded to her dock and the steam
ship Bellingham with the Dode
steamed oyer to West Seattle, where
they were hauled on the ways at the
King & Winge shipyards for repairs.
The damage to the three vessels will
probably reach between $1,000 and
$4,000. 1t is estimated that the Flyer
alone is damaged to the extent of
81, 200. The vessel today is still tied
up at her dock. 1t has not been de-
cided just where she will be, repaired.
While she is out of commission the
steamship Athlon will take the Seat
| tle-Tacoma run.
At the time of the accident there
were about forty passengers on the
Flyer. Several women were, greatly
excited, but upon being assured by
Capt. William Williamson that the
vessel was in no danger of sinking,
waited patiently until the arrival of
the boats from the Manning.
| AS near as can be aScertained the
| Flyer pulled away from the dock about
1856 O'Clock, on her first trip of the
day for Tacoma. She was not travel
ing at more than four miles an hour
owing to the heavy fog hanging over
the bay at the time. The Flyer was
slowly steaming ahead when Capt.
Williamson heard three whistles on
the port bow He answered and kept
| blowing the fog signals.
In a very few seconds Capt. William
son heard three more whistles, and
the steamships Bellingham and Dode
came into view. Almost immed-
lately they crashed against the Flyer.
| Capt. Bergman was in command OF
the Bellingham, and with him was
Capt. Curtis, manager Of the Beiling-
ham Bay Transportation company.
The Dode was being towed to What.
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