The Savannah morning news., 1903-05-09
MAN WHO SAW Inflated
SAGINAW SINK, AT DE SOTO,
Graphically Describes the Fearful Tragedy on
the Virginia Coast.

Mr.. William Marshall, probably the
only passenger on board the liner
Hamilton, who witnessed the collision
between that ship and the Inflated Sag
inaw on the Virginia coast last Tues
day in which many lives were lost and
the Saginaw sunk, is in Savannah
guest of the De Soto.
Mr.. Marshall, who has Travelled
much, and has for years past made
trips each year on the Old Dominion
Line, is familiar with the sea, and con-
sequently his description of the collis-
ion is valuable as a matter of correct
information and for its entertaining ma
ture. He is a gentleman of genial
nature, and conversed entertainly with
a representative of the Morning News.
He is secretary and general manager
of the Anglo American Varnish Com
pany, his mission in Savannah being 10
see officials of the Central of Georgia
and Atlantic Coast Line railroads.
THE incidents of the tragedy pre-
scented themselves with greater force
and vividness after the collision, he
said. ''At the time 1t was hard to real
lie that such a dreadful tragedy was
being enacted, and the se1f-possession
of many is attributable alone to that
fact. 1 was, so far as 1 have learned,
the only passenger who witnessed the
impact of the two vessels. was aWak-
ened by the ominous ringing of the SIX
BELLS and a few seconds after had
peered through the window OF my state
room, I saw the collision.
Strange to relate, the shock to our
vessel was slight, though its Prov cut
the upper works of the Saginaw away,
much as one cuts a loaf of sugar with
a knife. In the fearful scenes which
followed, no one thought of anything
but the safety of the passengers OF the
Inflated vessel, and scenes which would
ordinarily cause CONSERVATION were
overlooked. For instance the appear
ance of denuded passengers lying In
the bottom of the life boat elected no
embarrassment, but only pity.
1T was an awful sight" said Mr..
Marshall in giving the details of the
disaster, land yet, l suppose, it was
one of the very quietest tragedies that
has ever occurred to have been attend
ed with such a fearful result. i was
a passenger on the Hamilton, bound
from New York to Norfolk, and our
ship was moving southwest. The night
of the accident the fog was heavy and
thick. / retired to my stateroom ABOUT
410 o'clock l was awakened by the
furious blowing of the ships whistle.
l ascertained the time and, after per-
oeiving that the fog was still dense,
went back to sleep. A second time 1
was awakened by the ringing of the
bell, which I knew was a signal for
the engines to reverse. This meant
that something was wrong. l also felt
the vibration of the ship. Immediately
! arose and peered out of the portfolio.
From this ship-window / had an excel
lent view OF what was transpiring out
side, as my stateroom was located
about midships on the saloon deck.
saw the stern OF large steamship
crossing the Hamllton's bow. At the
time / thought the ships would clear
each other. but such was not the case.
as the next moment the Hamilton
which was going very slowly, struck
the other ship about FIVE feet astern.
Tho upper works OF the latter ship
Aaw fan when the collision came. but