New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-13

at about $50 and a heavy cargo OF freight
the steamer ran down through Block Island
Sound without any unusual incident until she
was well abeam of Watch Hill. and within hve
or six miles OF Fishers Island.
Captain George Mcvay. who had remained in
the pilothouse until the vessel had been
Strengthened out on her course. was preparing
to retire after turn around his ship. when
he was startled by several blasts OF the steam
ers whistle. He went TO The pnothouse. where
the pilot and quartermaster pointed out a three
masted schooner sailing eastward before
strong wind.
The schooner which proved be the Harry
Knowlton. coal laden from South Amboy for
Boston. seemed to luff up suddenly and headed
straight for the steamer. Again several blasts
were sounded on the steamers whistle the pilot
and quartermaster at the same time putting the
wheel hard aport TO avert collision But
the Larchmont was slowly veering around the
schooner came on with great speed and even
before another warning signal could be sounded
struck the port side OF the Larchmont The
impact Of the big vessel was so terrific that the
big clumsy bow OF the sailing craft was driven
more than half through the Larchmont
After the impact the schooner temporarily re-
mained fast 10 the steamer. stopping for a mo-
ment the leak she had made. The heaving sea
soon separated the vessels. however. and as they
backed away the water rushed into the big hole
in the steamers side at a speed that showed
she could not float long. As there were no
watertight compartments TO be closed. the water
could not be confined 10 the damaged part OF
the ship and It poured in over the cargo and
down into the hold. When It reached the boiler
room great clouds of steam arose. and the panic
stricken passengers. many OF whom had been
thrown from their hunks when the collision oc-
Cured at first thought fire had broken out.
SIGNALS OUT OF ORDER
Unfortunately the damage done by the col
nsion was in that part Of the steamer where the
signalling apparatus connecting the engine room
with the piothouse was Captain Mcvay. IN
the piIothouse. could not communicate with his
subordinate officers below decks. and therefors
was unable to determine the extent OF the dam
age The ouarterrnaster was hurried below to
make an investigation
The passengers meanwhile to the decks.
Few of them had waited to dress. Their fear
was so great that the cold was at first disre-
garded. but the suffering from the elements soon
became so intense that personal safety was for
gotten in general effort to keep the blood in
circulation Those who had not stopped to dress
found it impossible to return below and do so.
Their rooms were flooded soon after they had
been deserted and the wounded steamer was
sinking with a rapidity that sent terror to thu
hearts of the officers and crew. These men vera
prompt in answering Captain Mcvay's call to
quarters.
While some OF the seamen held back tho
frantic freezing passengers by brute strength.
others prepared 10 lower the lifeboats and RATS.
There was no time 10 think OF the comfort OF
anyone. Even before the boats were cut away
cTIDE1Q a1ONAI SE RNFCE