Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-27
FLORIDA BLAMES REPUBLIC.
italian Liner Says White Star Boat
Was Going at Full Speed.

NEW YORK, January 1.-THE version
of the Florida's captain was officially told
yesterday in a statement issued by the
agents Of the Lloyd alianO. after an all
day conference between the agents. {.
B. Richard & Co.; their counsel, Wal
lace, Butler & Brown: the captain and
purser and other officers and members OF
the crew of the Florida and the italian
consul general at this port.
It is a short and simple statement, but
charges that the Republic was proceed
collision.
The Florida was being unloaded at
her Brooklyn pier yesterday preparatory
to being hustled to drydock to have her
bow rebuilt.
Florida's Statement.
The statement made by Richard & Co.
follows:
The circumstances of the collision be-
tween the Republic and the Florida were
as follows:
THE Florida had experienced fog at
intervals for some hours before the col
lision and dense fog existed at the time
of the collision. The Florida had been
proceeding at moderate speed. blowing her
fog whistle frequently.
1.-THE captain and chief officer were in
charge of her navigation on the bridge
ana a QudTleTWdSleT WAS dL Iiit Wfltci
and the lookout was doubled on account
of the fog.
THE Florida was proceeding slowly
when the fog whistle of another steamer.
which afterward proved to be the Re
public, were heard by the officers and
lookouts of the Florida off the starbOard
bow of the Italian steamer.
Floridas Engine Reversed.
THE engines of the Florida were re-
l,fcfI Loo
each were blown, indicating that the en-
gines were going astern. The collision
nevertheless took place. the bow Of the
Florida Striking the port side Of the Re
public somewhat aft OF amidships
causing serious damage to both steam
when the Republic became visible in
the fog she was crossing the bow of the
Florida from starboard to port and run
ming at a high rate of speed. The helm
of the Florida was promptly put to star
board, hoping to swing the bow of the
Italian steamer to starboard and 10 assist
in avoiding the danger of collision. The
other steamer was, however, running so
fast the vessels collided.
1T was afterward ascertained that the
steamer which collided with the Florida
was the Republic of the White Star line
1.-The collision occurred some distance
southeast of Nantucket lghtship about
5:45 am. Saturday, the I'D of January,
1909.
Captain Did Not Use Delaying Pin.
The statements which have appeared In
some of the papers to the effect that there
was any misunderstanding of orders on
the bridge OF the Florida are not true
The orders given by the captain were
promptly and properly executed. The
seaman whose head was bandaged had
turned in. was asleep at the time of the
collision, was mt on duty and there
fore not the quartermaster at the wheel
mo criticism whatever is made by the
captain or any of the officers against any
member of the crew of the Florida. the
captain and officers are satisfied that
every man did his duty. There Is no
foundation whatever for the story that
anv member of the crew was struck or
reprimanded by the captain or any of the
officers.
After the collision occurred and after
the Florida had ascertained the extent
of her own injuries she rendered such as
sistance as lay In her power to the Repub-
lie and her passengers"