The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-27
MARINE DISASTERS DUE
TO WILD WINTER STORM
Steamer Kiowa Rammed and Sunk
by the Admiral Dewey in
Boston HarbOr.
DREDGER ALSO SUNK
And Three OF the Crew Lost
Snow. Wind and Cold in New
England and New York.

BOSTON, Dec. 26.-After one OF the mild
est Christmas days for many years a wild
winters storm broke over New England
to-day and, as usual. was accountable Tor
a number Of marine disasters.
Up 10 o'clock three wrecks had been re-
ported, while several other vessels had
been in distress during the day. one Of the
wrecks n dredger, which sunk within SIX
miles Of the wharves of Boston, resulted in
the loss OF three men. but in the case OF
the other two. the sinking Of the steamer
Kiowa. of Boston light. and the wreck Of
the barge John w. Mackay. off Watch
Hill. r. l.. every one was saved
The storm center passed over northern
New England during the forenoon and the
snowfall throughout that section was
quite heavy, especially in Maine and New
Hampshire. while wind velocities reaching
more than fifty miles an hour were report
ed from some points. Tonight the mer-
curry in the thermometer is falling by leaps
and bounds Reports from Maine and New
Hampshire show that the storm has de-
layed train service considerably. About
eight inches of snow fell in this city.
1t was during binding storm this after
room that the new Clyde line steamer
Kiowa, inward-bound from Jacksonville.
Fla, and Charleston. s. c., was rammed
and sunk by the steamer Admiral Dewey,
of the United Fruit Company, outward
bound for Port Antonio, Jamaica, and Port
Limon, Costa Rica. Captain Chichester
and the entire crew of the Kiowa, number
ing thirty men, were rescued by a tug.
The Admiral Dewey suffered practically no
damage and after laying to for the purpose
Of rendering possible assistance, she pro-
ceeded on her voyage.
With several passengers and a big gen.
eral freight, the Admiral Dewey sailed
from this city shortly after II noon. Ow-
Ing 70 a terrific snowstorm the Dewey
was making slow speed. A few miles be-
yond Boston light, the KiOwa appeared
through the clouds of mist and snow, di-
rectly ahead Before the course could be
Shifted the steamers cOllided. The Admiral
Dewey struck the KiOwa a powerful blow
on the port side JUST aft the main rig
eing. the sharp Prov of the fruiteT cutting
in for considerable distance. The dam
aged craft Immediately commenced to FILL
The city Of Bostons tug COrmOrant
which was passing, ran alongside the kiOwa
and took of her captain and crew. This
was a most difficult task, owing TO the
heavy sea, and in attempting 10 jump from
their own vessel 10 the tug some of the
KfOwa'S men fell into the water They
were rescued by the Cormorant's men and
all hands were brought 10 this city. The
kiowa sank shortly after the accident. She
had a big cargo OF lumber cotton naval
stores. iron and general merchandise.
The KiOwa was a steel steamer of 1855
gross tonnage and 2,256 net, built in Phila-
delphia In 1893. She 1912 feet long, 43
feet beam and 50.6 feet depth Of hold. She
carried crew Of thiTty-hve men, and heI
engines were Of 5000 indicated horsepower
The Admiral Dewey was built in 1898 al
Philadelphia. Her gross tonnage is 2,104
net ], 1886. She is 2S0 feet long, 36.1 feet beam
and 227 feet depth of hold. Her crew num-
bers fifty, and the indicated horsepower OF
her engines is 1850.