Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-08
DISASTER ON THE SEA
Joy Line Steamer Struck and
Sunk by Barge.
REMARKABLE ESCAPES
BUT ONE LIFE LOST IN THE
WRECKAGE.
Survivors Taken to Vineyard Haven,
Mass.-Wreck in Path of Ocean
Steamers.
REMARKABLE ESCAPES

VINEYARD HAVEN, Mass May s.
With the arrival here today of the tug Pa
thence came news of one of the most re-
r1arkable marine disasters in the history
of Vineyard sound shipping. The Joy line
steamer Arkansas, bound from Boston for
New York. was struck by the coal-laden
barge Gendower. in tow from Boston for
Philadelphia, and sank less than fifteen
minutes later, but out of thirty-seven pas
sengers and a crew of twenty nine on the
steamer, most of whom were asleep at the
time of the collision. only one life was lost
Miss Mamie Kelley, twenty-seven years of
age, residence unknown, missing when
the roll of passengers was called.
The scene of the collision was about
mile and a half southeast of Pollock Rip
Shoals lightship. Although the accident
happened at 80 o'clock yesterday morning
and at a point only thirty-three miles dis
tant from this port, the survivors did not
arrive here until early today, the thick fog
which prevailed necessita ting slow naviga-
ton. The disaster due to the fog. The
Arkansas, Capt Rood in command, left Bos-
ton Saturday afternoon, and was we'll
across the bay before she ran into the fog.
The steamer rounded Cape Cod and pro-
ceeded slowly down the cape shore. 1t was
about midnight on Saturday when the
steamer began to thread her way eau
tlously across the perious Nantucket
Shoals. At 100 o'clock Sunday morning
when about mile and a half from the Pol
lock Rip Shoals lightship. the tug Patience,
with tow of three Reading railroad
barges, doomed up through the fog The tug
cleared the Arkansas, but the barge Glen
dover struck the steamer amidships on
the starboard side opposite the engines,
tearing open great hole, through which
the sea poured like a cataract The Glen
dover was uninjured
The engine room and fire room of the
Arkansas We're quickly flooded, and some of
the hremen barely escaped being caught by
the torrents of water. 1t was seen at once
that the steamer was sinking and orders
to lower the boats were given
Most of the passengers and crew were in
their berths at the time of the collision,
but all were awakened by the crash. They
dressed hastily and rushed upon deck Al
though there was great excitement there
was no panic, and the discipline of the
crew was excellent, every man taking his
appointed station.
While some of the passengers were being
transferred to the steamers boats the
Patience came alongside the rapidly sink
ing Arkansas and took off those who had
not already taken to the boats Those who
had taken to the boats were then trans
ferred to the tug or to the barges in tow
Among the passengers were five women
and one child All were saved with the
exception of Miss Kelley. Mate Croker
remembers distinctly that he assisted Miss
Kelley to the ladder leading to the life
ooats' but she was not seen afterward.
Few Saved Anything.
rev OF the passengers saved anything
except their clothing and small hand bag
gage.
AS soon as the Arkansas had disappeared
beneath the waves the tug Patience. with
the survivors on board put about and
headed for this port. Some of Re passen-
gers belonged In Providence and others in
10
full cargo of general merchandise. most of
which, 1T Is understood. was insured.
ne AranSas was twin-screW steamer
OF LOU gross tonnage. She was built in
io'i at Wilmington, Del. Her dimensions
We're: Length, 241 feet; breadth Rs feet.
depth, 1G.5 feet. Her indicated horsepower
was 600. She was classed in the govern
nient list of merchant vessels of the United
states as an ocean passenger steamer Her
home port was New Orleans She was
formerly owned by the Southern PACING
Railway Company, and for many years was
employed in service out of New Orleans
running from that port to Havana and
also between New Orleans and New York.
Among the passengers on the Arkansas
was Percy keatridse of Francisco
Inc oflcers of the tug Patience disclaia
responsibility for the collision. They saw
that the Glendower was the stern barge OF
a tow of three. The barges were light and
We're proceeding at half speed on account
or the fog. according to the officers Prep
ti'iiS NcIC ptlIiS Hdue Dy the tug to
anchor the tow to await clearer weather.
The tug was just nearing the Pollock Rip
when the Arkansas came along in the mist
and struck the towing hawser of the Glen
dover. The blow forced the bow of the
Glendower into the starboard side of the
steamer. the heavy bow making a hoe in
the Arkansas into which the water poured
with rush that carried down the steamer
within fifteen minutes.
The Patience and her tow proceeded to-
day for Philadelphia.
In Ocean Steamers Path.
NEW YORK, May S.-The wreck of the
Arkansas is reported to be directly in the
path of coastwise steamers
The sinking of the steamer Arkansas was
attributed by President Dunbaugh of the
Joy Steamship Company. the owners of the
vessel, to the dangerous practice of tow
ing long strings of barges." The officials
OF the company said today that they were
not In position to give out any details as
to the value or extent of the cargo which
the Arkansas had on board at the time of
the accident.