New-York tribune., 1908-02-05
SCHOONER CUT In TWO.
THREE OF CREW PERISH.
Old Dominion Liner Runs Dozen the
BudsalI IN Mysterious Way.

Frederick Bange. the second officer,
the bridge of the Old Dominion liner jefferson
when, going al full speed she cut in two and
sank the schooner Emily E. Birdsall off Winter
Quarter Shoal. the Virginia coast, early
yesterday morning. While he will have to x
plain how he happened to down the
schooner it is largely due to his almost super
human efforts that the captain and four of the
crew of seven of the schooner We're brought TO
port last night the jefferson. Two men were
drowned and died of exhaustion on board
the ship
According to the on the schooner. it was
one of those nights when one could see plainly
the lights of a passing vessel mile away. Cap
tain Joseph A. Rietta, of the Birdsal said he
saw the Jefferson long before she struck him.
He was running along parallel with her and
heading northeast by north. At about 2: 55 a. n1
he said while he on watch she sheered and
same crashing into the Brdsal on the starboard
side. cutting her in two between the main and
mizzen rigging.
The schooner was loaded with railroad ties
valued at about $1,000. and these We're strewn
broadcast about the scene Of the collision She
soon filled. listed to port. and sank apidiy.
The moment the steel bow of the jefferson
ploughed into the schooner Range sent for Cap
tain Hulphers, who had turned in at midnight
once the captain the bridge Bange
rushed aft, and in four minutes he lowered life
boat No. Z, with five men, and was heading for
the crew of the schooner. The water was full
Of railroad ties and heavy running.
This hampered the In the lfeboat. The
Jefferson trained her searchght on the wreck.
and four men We're seen clinging to the main
rigging. The news of the collision soon spread
on the ship. and, although the morning was ex-
cesdingiy cold. many passengers deck
md two he of1 fic~hf
against wind and a heavy timber strewn sea
to get to the men in the schooners rigging.
AS the Jefferson backed off after the impact
the man who was at the wheel of the Brdsau
tried to climb over the steamships bow. but
he slid down the ice coated side into the sea-
He cutched at the railroad ties about him and
managed to work his way to the lower part OF
the main rigging, but washed away again
among the ties.
AS he about to sink Bange saw him and
ordered the men in his boat pull hard for
the helpless man Bange, who had on a cork
jacket, leaned over TO help him into the boat, but
the drowning man clutched at him and pulled
him into the water. The second officer swan
with the for ten minutes. and finally got
him safely into the lifeboat.
After taking the man to the Jefferson the sec
ond officer lowered Lifeboat 5. which was big
ger and went back to the crew clinging TO the
hours after third boat was sent out to help
him. Bange got back to the Jefferson with the
captain and four of the of seven men,
Captain Hulphers of the Jefferson and every
one aboard the Jefferson said last night that
Bange's work marvellous Captain Joseph
E. Rietta of the schooner said that he and his
men owed their lives to the persistency of Bange
who the bridge when the Jefferson cut
the Birdsall In two.
The plucky second officer of the Jefferson
showed Ill effects from his experience. and
much against the wishes of Captain James Ley
land, superintendent of the Old Dominion Line,
declared he would report for duty when the |
jefferson steams to-day for Norfolk Bange
was formerly second officer of the Ward liner |
Seneca, and although only thirty-f1ve years old |
he has had twelve years experience at sea-
Captain Retta. of the schooner, said he had |
his two side lights and pinnacle light burning |
when the jefferson struck him. He watch |
when he saw her sheer and head straight for |
him. He shouted to the men below, and they
got out of the forecastle just IN time to climb
nto the main rigging, which remained above the
water after the schooner listed. The second Of
1cer of the jefferson said ne did not see any
lights on the Birdsall.
The signed at Norfolk. and Captain
Rietta did not know the names Of his men, ex-
,ept Herbert Robinson, the mate. who
drowned. The other man who was drowned was
inown as lotto the Finn"
The schooner Birdsall bound from Ber-
nuda Hundred to Norfolk and New York and
vas valued at $4,000
The rescued We're we'll treated on board
he jefferson and were provided with stateroons
board the steamer last night.
WOULD WRECK CLEVELAND BRIDGE.