Evening journal., 1904-09-15
FERRYBOiT HAS
SERIOUS MISHAP
Wilkesbarre Out on En-
durance Run Goes Aground
in Dense Fog
WENT OUT WITHOUT COMPASS

After trip filled with all sorts Of
thrilling experiences through one of the
thickest fogs that has enveloped the
Delaware river for a long time, the fer
ry boat Wilkesbarre. which started out
on an endurance run yesterday morn
ing, succeeded in reaching her dock
late in the afternoon safely.
The boat was sent out in charge Of
crew from the Harlan & Hollingsworth
Company, the builders. Although there
was heavy fog, it was thought 1t
would break away and it was decided
10 make the run without compasses.
As the boat proceeded down the river
the fog thickened, and just before it
reached Reedy Island the mist was so
dense that objects more than ten yards
ahead could not be distinguished. The
fog that had hung over the river dur
ing the morning became so dense that
It cast a gloom almost as black as night
around the ferry boat. The engines
were slowed down and the whistle kept
footing at intervals to warn approach
ing vessels. Without the compass it
was impossible to navigate. and for a
while no one could tell just where the
boat was. The order to stop was about
to be given when there was a sudden
trembling of the boat and it careened
over on one side, making all on board
rush to the opposite side, thinking the
craft was going to turn turtle. It then
came to full stop, and all at once re-
allied that the steamer had run
aground. The rain was coming down in
torrents and this, with the heavy fog,
completely hid everything and made
II impossible for the time being to tell
just where the boat was.
When the mist cleared a little it was
discovered that the ferry boat had run
aground on the Reedy Island flats
along the lee side of the Reedy Island
channel. The engines We're reversed,
but despite their tugging and pound
Ing they could not move the boat which
appeared to be hard on a mud bank
1t grounded at u o'clock and as II
could not be moved by the engines it
was decided to wait for high tide. This
was done, and at 2.15 o'clock another
effort was made to get the steamer
free, which was successful.
1t steamed back along the same
course 1t had traversed on the down
course and had not gone more than a
half mile when It grounded again. This
time II looked as If the boat would
stick, for It was high tide now and no
way Of floating off. The Wilkesbarre
made another effort to free itself and
this time iioated into the channel on the
Reedy Island side. It then proceeded
slowly down the river
When Reedy Island had been passed
N r.fu fFs \ A.
the deeper channel In the river and was
making good headway when those on
board were shocked and thrown off
their balance by collision that SEEM
ed to be ripping the boat in twain. 1t
stopped suddenly and then as sudden
ly plunged forward again. The fog at
this time was light and objects could
be distinctly seen at a considerable dis
tance. At first those who were not on
the lookout thought the boat had coll
hded with another steamer but on in
vestigation not boat could be seen.
What had occurred mystifed everyone
until IL was explained that the boat
had struck submerged rock. The
rock, while directly I'm the channel. was
not marked on the chart nor with a
buoy and the pilots had no knowledge
of its presence. A stop was made. hut
as there was no apparent damage done
the steamer continued on its way.
The boat steamed slowly up the river
until the tug Amanda Powell was sight
ed. On the tug were r. S. Rode.
steamboat inspector, S. j. Dallas and
Theodore Wells. After his inspection
Mr. Rode pronounced the boat in the
best Of condition, but to insure the rail-
road company against any accident
that might happen it was decided to
bring the boat back to this city have