New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-05
TAORMINA'S HARD LUCK
TWICE IN COLLISION.
Ralph Brandreth's YarrL Forced
Back to Port.

Ralph Brandrefh's auxiliary yacht Taormina
n which the young man and several friends,
with a crew OF San Bias Indians started out on
Saturday IN search OF adventure-"and IN the
,,.srest Of science''-was almost cut in two on
sunday night forty miles out from Sandy Hook
nv the oceangoing tug Frederick F. Richards.
If the Rockland- Rockport Line, bound for
philadelphia The Taormina reached Temp
tinsvfIle yesterday in tow OF the bark Guiding
star. OF the White Star Towing Company, with
her deck fittings gone. her starboard rigging IN
a heap and hole in her starboard bow as big
rs an entrance TO the subway.
First officer William Smith was standing on
the deck al the time of the collision, and was
struck by the bowsprit, unusually long one.
which was showed into the motor room. Mr.
Brandreth was too angry 10 talk when he landed
He ana Dr. Won BiederInann, former admiral Of
the Panama navy. hurried away and could not be
found. From others ABOARD the Taormina and
:he bark which rescued her il was learned that
Mr. Brsndreth was in a fighting mood when he
saw his yacht wrecked and his dreams for the
time being. shattered.
The Taornina was struck early Sunday morn
ing just outside the Hook by a four masted
schooner, which damaged her rigging thick
fog set IN about noon and the Taormina shut
down her steam and drifted slowly along
About o'clock, when everybody had turned in
except the watch, the Richards ploughed into
her. well forward. The Richards, according to
Nj. Brandreth steamed on, despite the signals
for help and the cries Of the Indians
Mr.. Brandreth vas the first on deck He
was furious, especially when he saw the Taor-
nina filling with water. The Taormina got up
steam and started after the Richards hoping
1o get near enough to attract attention Sew
eral guns were fred of. TOO, and seeing that
the shots attracted no attention a lot of gun
cotton was showed into a frying pan and set
ablaze. But no one seemed 10 hear the shots
The pumps were put in operation and every
man on board got q bucket and worked ike
Trojan bailing, while the sea swept in on them.
The danger signal was flung ont, but she drifted
ali night without getting help. The Guiding
Star started at daylight yesterday in hope Of
picking up about $4,000 in salvage from the
Charles Loring which was run down of Sea
Grt Icy the Old Dominion bark Seneca. Just
of Shrewsbury Rocks. about four miles from
shore, Captain Lowe Of the Guiding Star saw,
through the fog. the danger signal He got in
speaking distance Of the Taormina. and found.
according 10 those on board. that she in no
immediate danger Of sinking. The captain then
agreed 10 tow her into port for 800. but after
some discussion. cut II down TO SIS, and started
up with the wreck of the yawl in tow. She will
be taken to drydock to-day.
The Taormina IS an S0-foot craft, Is feet
wide, with SO-horsepower engine. Be
fore he left port Mr. Brandreth announced that
he was weary Of the humdrum life ashore and
had decided 70 sail around the world, and, in
oidentally. increase his store Of scientific knowl-
edge He had intended TO be away at least two
and possibly six years. The Taormina cost
$4,000, and, for her long cruise was equipped
with a wireless apparatus and an electric light
plant, an armament said 10 consist OF two can
non six rnuskets and about fifteen thousand
rounds OF ammunition. A rumor spread that
the TaOrmina equipped for flibustering
expedition. but this shown to be error.
Captain Lovelace, commander OF the yawl, vent
70 Jamaica, and was TO have been picked up at
Kingston.