Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-01-23
TROJAN TOTAL LOSS
A Boston and Philadelphia Line Steamer Was in Collision With
 a Savannah Liner.

steamer Trojan of the Boston & Phil adelphia line, in collision with the steamer Nacoochee of the Savannah line in Vineyard Sound last Sunday was reported here to-day Dy the Na- coochee which arrived. having on board the captain and crew of the Trojan.
 The accident was due to fog. The Nacoochee struck the Trojan amid ship and the latter steamer went to the bottom within three-quarters of an hour, but Captain Thatcher and crew of q men. of the Trojan. were taken off by men from the Nacoochee.
 The NacoOchee sustained only q slight damage to the bow. The col lision occurred about one mile outside of the station of the Vineyard Sound lightship shortly after II o'clock Sun day forenoon. Both steamers were bound northward, the Nacoochee from Savannah for Boston. and the Trojan from Philadelphia. also for Boston. On account of the unusually thick fog which prevailed both steamers were moving at reduced speed. Their usuaI courses are nearly parallel and on Sunday each steamer could hear the whistle of the other as 1t sounded its frequent fog warning. A sharp look out was maintained, but in spite or all precautions the Trojan came into l position directly across the Nacoo- chee's bow. When she was seen through the fog there was no time to check the movement of the latter steamer. and the powerful brow of the Nacoochee, which is an iron ship. struck the Trojan fairly amidships, cutting a big hole in her side In moment the Trojan began to list bad ly and it was apparent that she haG been injured below the water line.
 Realizing that the Trojan had re- ceived fatal blow, Captain Diehl of the Nacoochee signalled Full speed ahead to his engineer so as to keep the prow of his vessel in the aperture fir the Trojan's side. This. it is oe- lieved. prevented loss of life. for the men on the sinking steamer were able to save themselves by climbing over the steamers bow. The escape of the crew of the Trojan is described as thrilling by spectators. The Trojan was struck on the port side. the sharp brow of the Nacoochee cut through her guard main deck and plank shear, penetrated to the coal bunkers and keeled the Trojan to starboard until [ that eE x,,v over. Almost in moment the Tro- jan's fires were extin2uishad and the engine room was half full of water. Seventeen of the Trojan's crew were asleep in their hunks below All rush. cd on deck to find some of their fel- low seamen clinging to the rigging. Captain Diehl of the Nacochce shouted to the men to crawl over his bow. On account of the listing of the Trojan this was no easy task and 1t could not he accomplished by some until lines had been thrown them from the Ma eoochee. The entire crew of 2I ulti- mately reached the Nacoochee and not one was injured
 Chief Engineer Blaisfell had a mar row escape. Before he could get out of the engine room the water was up to his waist There was some excite ment among the coal passers. who were principally Greeks. but the offi- cers maintained discipline among them. Hardly had the last man left the Trojan when she plunged forward and disappeared in sixteen fathoms Of water. Fortunately for tine work of
 Al. or, rho wrecked crew could save no property.
 After taking off the Trojan's crew the Nacoochee was compelled to an- chor in the Sound for nearly 40 hours before the fog cleared sufficiently for her to proceed in safety.
 The Trojan sailed from Philadel- phia Saturday. one day late. She car ried a large and valuable cargo. in- cluding 100 bags of wool. n bags of cement. & barrels of soda. 70 barrels of extract. 50 barrels of oil. 200 cases of canned goods. 300 crates of bottles. besides a consignment of tea. dry goods. glassware and otder miscel laneous freight. The steamer was de- layed in Long Island Sound on ac- count of the fog. According to Cap tain Thatcher. his steamer was scarce Iy if at all in motion when the aeci- dent happened as he was about [. come to anchor.
 The Trojan carried no passengers. There were seven passengers on the Nacoochee. bound from Savannah to this port. When the collision occurred most of the passengers were in Th. t.~s. feet by the force of the contact. bnt no one was injured. The passengers hurried to the deck in T state Of alarm. but they were reasSured ty Captain Diehl who. after a cursory examination. was able to state that his steamer was but slightly damaged fin the bow.
 The Trojan was formerly the steam er Orion and for many years while the property of the Boston Towlyoat Co carried coal to this pert She was also engaged on sevsril important wreckIng expedifioHs Several months sro she was bought by the Boston q Philadelphia Steamship Co. and at heavy expense was reb1ilt. She went into commission about two and half months ago and since Lad been rexu- Iariy running between PbTIadeIphsa sui Boston She vss vzl1esl at about s2500n The Trojan was butt in 1sss at Wilmington. Del She was 25so5 feet in Ie1zth- with s beam of ss4 and depth of bod Z3s fetT- Her gross tonnage uas eSo and the ner 1s9s The sWuers estimate the steam e- and r.r-. @o hare hc.,z ,ra-sh f5<s1