Perth Amboy evening news., 1909-01-26
Father Norris Risked His Life to Administer Last Rites
Of the Church to Those Diving After the Collision Be-
tween the vesses--Storv Told Of Neglect Of
Florida to Obey the Signals Of the Republic
FATHER NORRIS
TELLS STORY
Risked His Life to Administ-
er to the Dying After
the Crash.

Rev. John w. Norris, pastor of St
Mary's Roman Catholic church al
Deal, and nephew of Patrick Convery
of this city, who was with the latter
on board the steamship Republic
when she was in collision off Nan
tucket early Saturday morning, gave
a graphic description of what hap
pened on board the Republic direct
ly following the crash. He said that
he awoke about s o'clock in the
morning. but fell asleep again. Halt
an hour later he was awakened by
the crash, which threw him from his
berth onto the floor He arose,
slippers, rushed on deck, but could
see no one. The fog was so dense
that hand held a foot away from
the face could not be seen. Father
Norris said he then ran back to his
stateroom and told his uncle what
had, happened. Putting on his shoes
and his trousers over his pajamas,
Father Norris returned to the deck,
where he found all confusion. He
was beseeched on all sides for spirit
ual advice, which he freely gave, 60
ing from one to another among the
gfleI-StrlcKen passengers.
When 1t was known that there
were people mortaHy injured in the
crushed staterooms some one sought
out Father Norris and asked him to
minister to them. Father Norris
found Mrs. Lynch first. She was
scarcely alive. She was pitiful
sight. He administered the last rites
to her and then went through the
smashed partition into Mr.. MONEYS
stateroom and did the same service
for him.
In describing the scenes following
the crash Father Norris gave the wo-
men great praise for their GOODNESS,
and said that they bore themselves
more heroically than the male pas
sengers.
II was the first of the Republics
passengers to reach the deck after the
collision" said Father Norris. The
collision hurled me from my bunk
to the floor as though a huge and
powerful man had taken me by the
shoulders and thrown me out.
Il dashed out of the stateroom and
through the corridor and to the deck.
Then there were several officers and
stewards, but not much shouting.
Through the fog l could hear the
other ship backing away from US,
and soon 1t was lost in the darkness.
Then the alarm gongs on the Repub-
lie commenced to rouse all passen-
gers and assemble them In the main
dining saloon. This order was fol-
lowed by another to assemble the
passengers in the recreation room on
the top deck.
II started for my stateroom to get
what clothing 1 could, but the lights
went out then, the engine-room hav-
ing been flooded by this time by the
awful thrush OF the sea. other pas
rooms and they filled the corridors
so that ! would have interfered with
them had l attempted to reach my
room. / remained where l was and
soon had plenty to do in reassuring
the more timid of the women, par
several women who at times
became hysterical.
but, withal. there was very little
Everything was orderly.
There was no loud shouting of orders
and the system employed by the ship
for Just such an emergency worked
The ships officers and
men were trained to the last detail
for Just such an emergency. They
were all brave men and the line de-
serves great credit.
Much property was lost. I per-
sonally know of several women who
abandoned their jewels in their state
rooms and never recovered them. In
several instances these valuables
Amounted to two. three and four
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