The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-26
NO HOPE FOR Her
1t Is Thought That the Re-
public Cannot Be Raised.
All the circumstances Are
Against Her.
IN MUCH DISTRESS.
The Crew Lost All Their Belong.
ingS Except Clothes.
An Appeal for Aid Is Being
Made in New York,

New York, Jan. 26.-With the sur
vivors from the steamships Republic
and Florida quartered in hotels
throughout the city or with friends or
relatives. with the Florida in port and
the Republic under forty odd fathoms
of water south of Nantucket, Satur-
days disaster has practically passed
into history. Although many little de-
tails and interesting points yet remain
to be cleared, technical questions of
salvage and responsibility are the prin-
cipal problems. which remain unsettled.
The wreck. barring a few minor
criticisms, will be recorded as one of
the most picturesque and at the same
time admirably handled in history.
Captain Sealby and Al officers of the
Republic, who arrived last night on the
derelict destroyer Seneca are yet to be
heard from but a statement from Cap
tain Sealby is expected today.
1t has been noted with interest that
J. r. Binns, Familiarity known as
"Jack," the Republics wireless opera
tor, who has been declared the silent
hero of the wreck, has maintained a
dignifled silence in keeping with the
reputation he has earned. He was on
but refused to be seen. However, he
will be pressed for a full statement of
his experiences and one New York
paper this morning prints what pur-
vigil at his instruments.
Little Chance for Republic.
There appears to be little chance
for saving the Republic as she lies at
the bottom of the Atlantic at a depth
variously estimated at from 80 to 40
fathoms' in one of the toughest
stretches of water between Hatteras
and Cape Race. Wreckers say that
an effort to float her would be fool
hardy and in the opinion of I. J. Mer-
rift, president of the Merritt & Chap
man Wrecking company, no such at
tempt will ever be made.
Vessels have been raised from a depth
of 80 fathoms he said, but only when
they lay in sheltered position and not in
the open sea.
ton of the Republic Mr. Merritt said,
"but understand she is about 80 faith
oms under ten miles south of Nam
tucket. That place is absolutely I'M
protected, and while we might work on
her for a month without mishap the
first storm would ruin every bit of
work accomplished"
An appeal in behalf of the crew of
the Republic, at least for those mem
bers who are in need and who lost all
their belongings when the vessel sank
has been issued by the Rev. George
Mcpherson Hunter, secretary of the
American Seamen's Friends society
The appeal says in part:
They have no clothes except those
they now wear, until they get back to
Liverpool After the excitement at
tending the rescue and the splendid
achievement of wireless telegraphy,
we should not forget that the sailors
get scant pay, and now, when they
have lost their clothing they will not
be able to buy the necessities because
of their means The probabilities are
that the men will return to their homes
on the White Star liner Baltic on Sat
urday and whatever is done, should be
done promptly"
Connolly Abandons His Trip.
James B. Connolly, the writer of sea
tales. who had some friction with the
stewards of the Republic who de =
clared that he showed anxiety during
the period of excitement and attempted
to get in a boat ahead of the women
and children. will abandoned his pro-
posed trip to meet the returning bat
tleships of the Atlantic fleet which he
was to join at Gibraltar with special
permission from the president. He said
that while it might be possible for him
to make the trip across on the Mauret-
ania, reaching Gibraltar in time. he
had decided not to make the attempt,
accordingly he will not chronicle the