The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-05-15
STORM SINKS
AUTO BOATS
Six Craft Sunk or Disabled !;
Others Reported Missing.
CREWS SAVED BY WARSHIPS
Crafts Were on Second Stage Of Run From
Alglers 10 London Autolsts Raced
Until They Were Swsmpet,

Toulon, May 15-The auto boat race
from Algiers TO Toulon has ended un-
fortunately, all Of the boats partic-
pating in the second stage of the run
from Port Mahon TO this port being
either sunk or disabled owing to a
heavy storm. when still many miles
from the finish Happily the arrange
ments for escorting the craft were eff
cently organized and loss OF life was
avoided
The seven racers left Port Mahon
Saturday morning at o'clock for Tou-
lon. A torpedo destroyer accom-
panied each auto boat. while two cruis-
ers followed. The sea was somewhat
rough at the start and soon became
worse. The competing boats were un-
able 10 withstand the violence OF the
storm and requested the warshlps TO
tow them.
shortly after the Mercedes c. p.
sank, men from the torpedo boat de-
stroyer Hallebarde rescuing her crew.
The criser La Hire hoisted the Flat
and her crew aboard.
The Camille was abandoned. the de-
stroyer Dard saving her crew.
The Heracles H. is adrift, but her
crew Is on board the destroyer Sar-
bacane.
was taken on board the destroyer Cara
bine.
The Mercedes had to be abandoned. The
destroyer Ftrtrusane saved the crew.
BROKE STEEL HAwsERs.
There IS no news concerning the Quand-
Meme. about which there is consider
able anxiety. Her crew consists of
seven men. including the Duke Decazes.
The cruisers Desaix and Kleber are
searching for the vessel.
Accounts furnished by officers OF de-
stroyers which have arrived here with
the wrecked auto boats crews show that
the storm which overlook the frail craft
shortly after their departure from Port
Mahon- -Nas-ef terrible intensity, the
waves attaining a height of % feet. IL
was impossible TO keep the hotilla in tow,
steel hawsers breaking repeatedly owing
to the seas fury. and the destroyers
themselves were i'm imminent danger.
In several instances they were COM
PEELED to cast off tow lines In order 10
avoid sinking themselves. Some OF the
competitors, however. persisted in racing
until they were swamped. Sometimes.
owing 10 the mountainous waves. they
were lost from their consorts view.
The cruisers Desaix and Kleber though
much buffeted by the tempest kept up
constant wireless communication with the
conveying destroyers. standing by in
order TO render assistance.
GLAD TO BE ALIVE.
The racers crews were thoroughly ex-
hausted and scarcely able TO reply 10
inquiries. They consider themselves for
tunate 10 have escaped with their lives.
Many OF them had their clothes torn in
ribbons. and some are bruised, while a
member Of the Malge-Touls crew had a
leg broken.
The original entries for this event in
cluded French. German. Italian. British
and American boats. The latter two how
ever did not take part in the race owing
To their late arrival.
Anxiety regarding the fate OF the auto
bolt Kuand-Meme IS growing i'm intensity,
more especially as the conveying destroy
er Arbalete is also unaccounted for The
cruisers Kleber and Desaix returned to
harbor this evening after a vain search,
being obliged 10 seek shelter from a ter
rife hurricane accompanied by torrent
ial rain.
REPORT OF SIGHTING QUAND-
MEME.
Uaris May 15-Duchess Decaze IS re-
ported 10 nave received late last night
a telephonic message from Toulon, stat
ing that her husbands auto boat. the
Quand Meme has been sighted in tow OF
the destroyer Arbalette. This report how
ever has not heen confirmed