Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-26
Allan Line Ship Partisan and
Hamburg American Boat.
REACHED THEIR DOCKS
BOTH WERE HEAVILY LOADED
WITH PASSENGERS.
Parisian's Stern Touched Bottom as
She Reached Port-Suspense
of Passengers Intense.

American boat. both bound In heavily
loaded with passengers, colided off the
harbor's entrance tonight. Both were Sc
riously damaged, but reached their docks
and landed their passengers safely
The Parisian's stern touched bottom as
she reached her wharf, while hard pump
ing kept the Albano free
Both steamers were from European
ports, the Partisan from Liverpool Eng
land, and Moville, and the Albano from
Hamburg The Partisan had on board a
thousand PASSENGERS, many of whom were
bound for her other port, St John N b.
The Albano carried about 500 passengers,
nearly all for Philadelphia, to which port
she to have proceeded after calling
here.
How 1t Happened.
The Partisan arrived of the entrance to
the harbor at dusk and was taking a pilot
on board when the Albano was seen COM
ing in from As the Albano approach
ed the officers of the Partisan realized that
there was danger of a collision and the
engine rooms were signaled for fun speed
ahead Before the Partisan could get un-
der way. however. the Albano struck her
| on the starboard side. a short distance
| astern of the engine room. crushing in the
great steel plates and opening up a hole
through which the water poured in tons.
The bow plates of the Albano were bent
and the stem was twisted, but the water
tight compartments were promptly closed
and her pumps set vigorously at work.
Headed Quickly for Harbor.
Immedately following the collision the
steamers headed into the harbor at full
speed. the Partisan with heavy list to the
starboard and the Albane somewhat down
at the head. The Partisan had consider
able water in her stern, which was also
sinking deeper as she steamed along,
Both vessels whistled for help, and every
tug in the harbor responded and. the
Partisan appeared in greater danger, sew
eral ranged themselves alongside that ves-
sci and assisted IN the pumping.
The passengers ON board both vessels
begged that the tugboats take them of,
but the little steamers cIung tenaciously to
the side of the liner, and never left her
until she was safe at her dock Many OF
the passengers rushed excitedly about the
decks while others knelt in prayer. Within
a few minutes all had been supplied with
life preservers while the lifeboats were
ready for instant launching in case the ves-
sells showed signs of laundering.
Passengers Alarmed.
The suspense of those on board the Par
isian was intense. Great volumes of water
were pouring from the vessel, the engines
auivered with the exertion of running the
numerous pumps and keeping the vessel at
top speed. Half way up the harbor her
stern had settled many feet and the list to
the starboard had become most pronounced,
but the steamer kept on, with the fleet or
tugs alongside working to keep her ahoat.
AS the vessel came alongside her wharf
lines were thrown out, gangplanks lowered
and a thousand passengers rushed to land
as the stern of the vessel touched the bot
to::l.
The Albano had somewhat similar ex-
perience, although her pumps were aple 10
keen her bow compartments fairly free, so
that the alarm board was not SO great
The Albano reached her dock short time
after the Partisan, and the passengers were
hurried ashore.
Capt. Johnson's Statement.
The weather at the time was quite clear
According to Capt. Johnson of the Paris
ian, the Albano, on-approaehing from sea,
signaled that she would pass astern of the
Allan liner, but a moment later headed for
the Parisian Capt johnson said that he
rang orders to the engine room to go ahead
full speed and his vessel had just attained
headway when the Albano struck the
Partisan. The bow of the Albano smashed
a hole twelve feet wide and extending from
the rail to below the waters edge. AFTER
the collision the Albano drew of and has
tiIy securing a pilot followed the Partisan
into port.
Meantime the passengers of the Partisan
became panic stricken. The deck was well
filled with passengers, many OF whom were
immigrants bound to the Cahaaiah NoIlh-
west These rushed about the deck. women
tainted and there was mad scramble for
life preservers
A Passengers Experience.
One of the passengers of the Partisan said
tonight
..The Partisan had just slackened speed
on the pilotage ground, off Chebucto Head,
five miles from the entrance to the harbor,
and was taking a pilot aboard when the
Albano came up behind. Her steel stem
penetrated the Partisan on the starboard
side cutting the hull open away DeloW the
water line great thrush of water tol-
lowed as soon as the German boat backed
off and it was feared the steamer wouid
founder The passengers became panic
stricxen and the officers had trying time
To enforce order. The crew was sent 10
cnt away the lashings and sling the BOATS
Ivbile Iife-preservers were distributed, oeN-
vi ,ropoan tainted and, the steamer
commenced to settle deep in the water art
there was great excitement ,..,.
.srha captain of the Partisan reallzeo that
his shin was in danger. and telegraphed TO
the engine room for full speed ahead Inc
Partisan ran race OF Ire ana ueath ioi
the harbor her decks thronged with panic
stricken ueople who believed the captain
was going to beach her. The crew placed
canvas in the gap in the side, put with nt-
tie effect as the water rose In the after
commandments with great rapidity. Tons OF
water rapidly filled these holds, and caused
the ship to settle more and more. The mr.
teen miles from the scene of the accident
to the dock was covered in forty minutes.
The Partisan Fine Steamer.
The Partisan is one of the finest steamers
in the Allan feet. and carried on this trip
400 sacks of mail and 1.10o tons general
cargo. An examination of her tonight
showed the entire aft hold to be filled with
water as far forward as the engine room \
compartment She rests on mud bottom
On the opposite side of the same pier
berthed the Albano with her twisted stem
and damaged bow plates 1t is expectet
that she can be temporarily repaired SO
to proceed on her voyage to Philadelphia.