The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-01-27
THE F[0R|OA'S
OFFICERS TELL
Of COLLISION
Say the Republic Was Steam
ing at Fast Rate Through
the Fog
OFFICERS DID ALL THEY COULD
TO PREVENT THE DISASTER

tn0 LOOKOUT W6Ucn H8Q Been UOuDls
ed, While the Officers We're In Full
Charge of the Navigation.
New York, Jan. 27-The promised
statement of the White Star Line COM
pany as to the cause of the collision
between its steamer Republic and the
Italian line steamer Florida, Saturday
morning, has not been given out yet.
The only statement so far issued is
that of the officers Of the Florida.
Appearance of Florida
On the Brooklyn water front at
Bush's Stores the Florida, which ram
med her nose into the Republics side
with such force as to give that ship
what proved her death blow, was the
scene Of much activity. Her seamen
were clearing away the debris and
making her ship shape so that she
might go into dry dock for repairs.
Captain Rospini declined to make any
statement as to the cause of the COL
lision but after a conference with
representatives Of c. B. Richards and
company, his agents. and Archibald
Thatcher, an admiralty lawyer. Rich
ards and company gave out state
ment regarding the circumstances of
the collision. Its feature was the
direct charge that the Republic was
running at high rate of speed
through the fog. 1t also refuted the
reports that the quartermaster of the
Florida was to blame and that the
captain struck the man. The state
ment says:
Florida's Story
"The Florida had experienced fog
at intervals for some hours before
the collision and a dense fog existed
at the time of the collision and the
Florida had been going at moderate
speed, blowing her fog whistle fire.
quentlv.
"The captain and chief officers
were in charge Of her navigation on
the bridge and the quartermaster was
at the wheel, and the lookout was
doubled on account of the fog.
THE Florida was proceeding SLOW
ly when the fog whistles of another
steamer which afterwards proved to
be the Republic. were heard by the
officers and lookouts off the star
board bow of the Italian steamer.
The engines of the Florida we're re-
versed and two signals of three
whistles were blown. indicating that
the engines were going astern. The
collision nevertheless took place, the
bow of the Florida striking the port
side of the Republic somewhat aft
Of amidships, causing serious damage
to both steamers.
"When the Republic became visible
through the fog she was crossing the
bow of the Florida from starhoard
to port and running at high rate
of speed. The helm of the Florida was
promptly put to starboard and to as
sist in avoiding the danger of COL
lision. The other steamer was, how
ever. running so fast that the vessels
collided.
"It was afterward ascertained that
the steamer which collided with the
Florida was the Republic of the White
Star line.
"Thc collision occurred some dis
tance southeast of Nantucket light
ship. about 5.45 a. m. Saturday, the
twenty-third of January, 1909.
"The statements which have appear
ed in some of the papers to the effect
that there was any misunderstanding
Of orders on the bridge Of the Flori-
da, are not true. The orders given
by the captain were promptly and
properly executed.
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 what
ever for the story that any member of
Hhe 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 rem
dered such assistance as lay in her
power, to the Republic and her pas
eengers."
The produce exchange al special
meeting here today adopted reso-
luton heartily favoring such inter-
national legislation as will compel
tne equipment vi all ocean going pas.
senger steamers with a system of
wireless telegraphy. this in view of
the important aid rendered by wire
less telegraphy in the Nantucket dis
aeter.
Resolutions were also adopted ex-
pressing admiration of the splendid
seamanship exhibited by those on the
Republic, Florida and Battle and also
commencing the Marconi system of
wireless telegraphy for the part 1t
played.
Helped Mrs. Mooney
Mrs. Charles a. Severance, WIFE of