Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-25
ON A SAND BAR.
Steamer Larchmont Goes
Ashore Near Newport, RI.
Passengers Behave FineIy--Steamer
FIoated With No Damage.
Was Formerly the Cumberland on
Boston and PASSPORT Route.

- 1s"
i-archinont of the Joy Line. bound
| from New York to Providence r. r.
with 200 passengers on board. durinc
an unusually thick fog went ashore on
a sand BAR off Dyer island near New
port. at Gas A. NJ, today.
After the tugs Solicitor and Ro,a,.
Williams had worked several hours
trying to float her, they at last suc-
ceedcd in pulling her off, about l
O'Clock, this afternoon, and the Larch-
mont proceeded to Providence, prac-
tiCH!ly uninjured.
During the miShap to the steamer.
| there was not the slightest Indication
OF panic among the passengers.
Many of them were still in their state
rooms ana some of them were still
asleep. All were greatly surprised
when they learned that the steamer
Was hard and fast in the East passage
of NarraSansett bay at Il point be-
tween Newport and their destination
and about midway between Prudence
island and Portsmouth. Captain D. l..
Wilcox, who was in command of the
steamer, assured his passengers that
there was no danger whatsoever, and
all quietly waited developments.
All efforts TO float the Larchnlont IN
der her own steam We're fruitless. The
tide was low at the time and there
seemed to be nothing better to do than
to await the flOodWater. During the
forenoon six of the passengers were
taken Off by an Associated Press
launch and landed at Newport At 1
O'Clock, through the combined efforts
OF the tugs Solicitor and Roger Will
iians, the Larchmont slid off the bar
INTO a safe berth. q performance which
the food tide made possible.
The Larchment cleared from New
York city shortly after 6 o'clock, last
night. In Long Island sound the
weather was found to be thick and
hay, and quantities OF ice were drift
ing, so that Captain Wilcox directed
his boat at speed slower than usual.
Early this morning, Captain Wilcox dis
covered. as he WAS making his way in
70 NarraS:insett bay, that the ice foes
were large and powerful. Entering
the Earbor of Newport he decided on
accOunt of the ice. to follow the East
passage, instead Of the West passage.
usually selected by this line to reach
the city OF Providence.
the southeast end of Prudence island,
just off Sandy Point light. when a thick
fog swept in. Soon the Larchmont was
enShrouded in mass of vapor so
dense that the vision could extend no
further than two or three yards in any
direction from the ship. Fifteen min
utcS after the fog had shut in the
i4;irchmont grounded on the bottom of
u tN.Ny-
slowly and the jar as the boat struck
the bottom was scarcely more than if
She had bumped into Il pier when dock
ing.
The signal to reverse was given at
once, and the paddles responded, but
h" steamer held fast to her position.
AIter the watertight compartments
had been closed. soundincs were taken.
II WAS found that the water was six
feet deep at the bow and 13 feet at the
stern. There were some anxious in
luirics, but Captain Wilcox explained
that the steamer had grounded on a
sand bar, and probably would float be-
fore long.
I About an hour after the steamer had
struck the bar. the fog lifted and an
opportunity was given Captain Wilcox
to define the exact position of his
steamer.
Shortly after 10 o'clock the tug So
hcitor sighted the Larchmont and bore
down upon her. A hawser was made
fast to the stern of the steamer, and
for two hours the Solicitor tried to pull
the Larchmont from the sand, being
assisted by the steamer herself re-
vcrsing her engines. The attempt to
feat the Llrchmont however, was I'M
successful
The Solicitor gave up the attempt at
noon and passing up the bay met the
tug Roger Williams. The two tugs
returned to the steamer and the first
pull of the tug was effective the tide
having risen. The Larchmont passed
off the bar and into deeper water. A
haSty examination showing that the
boat was apparently not damaged
Captain Wilcox headed up the bay for
Providence.
The Larchmont formerly was the
steamer Cumberland of the Internal
tional Steamship Co. running between
Boston and PASSPORT, Me. Two years
ago, after she had been in collision with
the Admiral Dewey, she was purchased
by the JOY Line. repaired and re-
named the Larchmont. She was built
in Bath, Me-, in 1885. She is 252 feet
in length, 81 feet beam, with a tonnage
Of 1883.