Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-01-24
White Star Liner Republic
Rammed in Dense Fog Off
Nantucket Sinks Shortly
After Collision.
PASSENGERS TAKEN
OFF WITHOUT MlSHAP
Prompt Closing of Watertight
Compartments Averts ApalI-
ing Loss Of Life; Wireless
Summons Help,


Nantucket Mass. jan 2S.--The
passengers of the White star liner Re-
public, which were taken on board
the steamer Florida, of the Lloyd
ltaiano line, after the collision early
today southwest of Nantucket light
ship when the Republic received
what will probably prove her death
wound, are being transferred late to-
night TO the steamer Baltic, White
Star line boat, which was called to
the assistance of her sister shin by
wireless telegraph.
After standing by the Republic for
several hours, Captain Ransom, OF
the Baltic, decided that II would be
advisable to take the passengers off
the Florida. and the fog having lifted.
the transfer was begun shortly before
midnight. In addition TO the passen-
gers OF the Ropubiic, those OF tho
Florida win go aboard the Baltic The
Florida's passengers number 500 and
those of the Republic 442
Tho fact that 1t was advisable to
take OFF the passengers OF the Florida
indicates the latter steamer was serl-
ously darlagcd In collding with tho
Reptblic,
Al the vcsseis have drifted cast
ward in the last few hours. Shortly
before midnight the Republic was re-
ported to be about ten miles south OF
Nantucket llghtshlp having drlfted
between fifteen and twenty miles from
the point where the collision occurred.
Early messages hy wireless said
that the Republic had been abandon
ed by her crew. Later reports stated
that Captain sealby still refused to
quit his vessel and WAS standing by.
The transfer of the Republics pas
sengers to the Baltic was accomplish
cd speedily, and shortly before l
o'clock both the Baltic and the Flor
ida started for New York II the Ral-
tic goes at her average speed and does
not delay to act as convoy for the
Florida. she should reach New York
Sunday afternoon
In cropping her way through the
dense fog off Nantucket .ightshlp at
dawn today, the steamer Florida. OF
tho Lloyd Italiano line bound TO New
York from Naples, dealt a death blow
to tho outward bound steamer Repub-
lie. of the white Star line laden with
pleasure seeking passengers for South
crn Europe and with supplies for the
United States battleship fleet.
The steamer Florida. proving to be
less seriously injured than the other
steamer, took aboard the Republics
passengers almost Immediately. and
twelve hours later all the officers and
crew of the Republic. with the excop-
tion of Captain Sealby, left that ves-
sci Captain Sealby. In his gig. re-
fused to leave the sight OF his beloved
ship until she had disappeared forever
beneath the waves.
The Republic was on her regular
course for the eastward, but the Flor
ida was thirty miles off the prescribed
lane. for inward bound steamers.
Whether she was seeking to return To
that course or was wandering still
further astray In the fog could not be
learned from the meagcr dispatches
received uD to 10 o'clock tonight.
While the passengers and the crew
of the Republic were saved by the
Florida. the fact that the Republic
had been seriously injured and was
sinking WAS spread broadcast over tho
Atlantic for distance of more than
a hundred miles by means OF wireless
telegraphy. The mystic hand of the
Marconi waves touched the steamers
Baltic and La Lorraine on their way
TO New York and brought them