The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-14
STR. ONOMDAGA
RUNS ASHORE ON
ORLEANS BEACH

Chatham. Mass. Jan. 4.--straying from
the beaten track, the Clyde line freight
steamer onondaga. in charge OF Capt
Bunnell, and bound from Boston for
Charleston and Jacksonville. struck on
Orleans beach early yesterday and is in
dangerous position. At low water yester-
day afternoon the onondaga was nearly
high and dry. but none Of the crew came
ashore. as the vessel at no time gave evil
denoe OF breaking up. The steamer may
be saved.
The onondaga struck the beach nearly
head onshore, and the heavy sea soon
drove her stern around, until at daylight
her nose was pointing back to Boston.
The vessel had wandered two miles OF the
course in the b-mile run from Nausett
light TO Pollock Rip Shoa lightship dur
Ing night which, though cloudy, was
comparatively clear.
Capt. Bunnell shouted 10 one OF the life
savers yesterday afternoon that he
thought he was considerably farther to
the south. and had hauled his vessel in
shore TO pick up either land or a light.
Within a minute after getting a sound
Ing OF seven fathoms. his vessel ground
ed on the bar.
The onondaga left Boston late Saturday
afternoon with a miscel ellaneous cargo for
the southern states The storm had clear
ed before the end OF the cape was reach
ed. and Highland light flashed on the
steamers deck as she speeded on to the
southwark. The storm had left an un-
usually heavy roll. 30 that the outxde OF
the cape was fringed with a broad band
OF white, which marked the shore even In
the darkness.
The south patrol OF the Orleans Life
Saving station had just met the north pa
troll Of the old Harbor station at 1So
o'clock yesterday morning, when he sight
cd both sidelights OF vessel and knew
that she was heading straight for the
beach. He burned his signal light but II
was too late TO prevent disaster. Then the
patrol ran back 10 the halfway house and
notified both stations.
Capt. Doane, with the Old Harbor crew
and Capt. Charles, with the men OF the
Orleans station, were soon On the scene. A
line was shot across the vessel, but no
one came ashore nor was any attempt
made TO haul the breeches buoy aboard.
Dawn disclosed the identity OF the
steamer. During the forenoon the incom-
ing tide and a heavy sea drove the
Onondaga gradually UP the beach
Two tugs, the Orion and Mercury, ar
rived at the scene yesterday afternoon.
while the tug Underwater was expected
later. No attempt was made to float the
vessel yesterday. but strong effort will
be made today TO drag her off the sands.
IL Is expected, however, that the greater
portion OF her cargo will either have TO
be lfghtered or thrown overheard before
the vessel can be foated
Through megaphone Capt Bunnell
told those on shore that he did not see
the Nausett lights when he came by them,
although he had made Highland light an
hour or two before. He judged his vessel
to be considerable distance to the south
and hauled jnshore to make a land fail or
pick up some light
AT dark last night the captain shouted
ashore that his vessel was still tight and
showed no signs OF breaking up, although
she had been hammered steadily ell day
and spray was continually flying over her.
The Onondaga Is nearly new, having
been built In Philadelphia In 1906 She is
2155 tons net burden. 276 feet over all. 40
feet beam and 10 feet draught Her en-
gines have an indicated horsepower OF
5000 and she carried a crew OF 2s men. She
had been on the Boston and Jacksonville
line almost continuously, but has been
used entirely for freight
At sunset last night the weather was
calm and the sea was apparently SUBJ
siding.