The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-01-23
REPUBLIC OF WHITESTARLINE
 CUT IN TWAIN Steamer With 500 Passen- gers Aboard Run Down
 In Dense Fog. WIRELESS CALL
 BRINGS HELP
 ALL ARE RESCUED Accident Took Place Off Nantucket - Ramming Vessel May Have Gone Down With All on Board.
Accident Took Place Off
Especial from United Press.

New York, Jan. 23.-In dense fog off Nantucket Lightship shortly be- fore dawn today the White Star liner Republic was almost cut in twain by mysterious unknown vessel which dashed out of the fog without. a mo- ment's warning. An instant later the mysterious vessel was lost to sight. Whether she slipped away in the fog or went to the bottom with all hands on board is not known.
 All passengers and all members of the crew of the Republic were saved by the Italian Florida, the first of half dozen liners to answer the Re- public's wireless calls for assistance.
 This afternoon, according to wireless reports, the big liner is rolling help lessly in the trough of the sea several miles from the lightship. Cut almost in two she is badly waterlogged and an easy prey for the first rough sea-
 The disaster, which by a miracle eS- caped being another LaBourgoyne af- fair, happened in daylight Late re- ports indicate that the Republic and all her cargo and baggage will be lost. were killed or injured.
 The big liner was pounding along at good clip despite the dense fog. Shortly before daylight, at about 4 o'clock and just before she was ready to turn the Nantucket Lightship, the and ipefore the yell of the lookout on the bridge could be repeated, the two vessels crashed. Just what happened after that the brief dispatches have rot narrated. Descriptions of the panic on board which is certain to have resulted will not be received un- til the rescue ships reach port
 fC a crash the wireless operator aboard the Republic had his instruments going and through the pail of fog which would have intercepted all ordinary signals of distress, was clicked the message to the White Star office in known steamer 26 miles east Nan tucket. No lives in danger. (Signed) Captain Sealby.''
 As soon as this first message was sent the unnamed hero of the Repub- lies telegraph key started shifting his relay, and in a few minutes had called up the Republics sister ship, the White Star liner Baltic. The Bal tic, which was due in New York to- morrow morning, immediately put to the rescue A short time later the operator on the French liner La Lor- raine, in a bound picked up the Repub- lies distress call and put about. Far c1Io IlCCI lIIc ul<dIlLlIflc Cdll lOT dlu was sounded at all points of the compass.
 While the Baltic and La Lorraine were rushing to the Republic the Uni- ted States revenue cutter station at Nantucket, Woods Hole and Newport picked up the liners distress messages and the cutter Gresham was dispatch ed to the scene from Provincetown. while the Achusnet which had picked up the calls for help while at sea went for the Republic.
 Since the first calls for help and the receipt of the messages of the vessels hurrying to the rescue there had not been a Hull for the wireless operators. bulkheads with which the vessel is equipped. With his engine room flood ed and the fires out, Captain Sealby is unable to move his ship, which is wallowing. Boats are lowered and in readiness and if it is seen that the vessel is doomed to founder those on board will at once be picked up by the cutter Achusnet which is standing by.
 The Republic has on board 500 tons of ship supplies which were for deliv- cry to the United States battleship fleet now in the Mediterranean. These supplies were to replace those which were sent to the quake sufferers at MeSsina.
 At the Maritime Exchange a wire less message dated 12:5O stated that the Republic was still af1oat but it is expected she will sink within the next two hours. The Florida. is badly crowded but is making her way slowly into port. The La Lorraine which went to the assistance of the Repub- lie wires that the fog is still very dense.
 The White Star line office has re- ceived word that the Florida is pre- ceeding into port but whether New York or Newport is not stated.
 Two special trains have been arrang- ed for and if the Florida docks at Newport they will be used to bring the passengers and crew to this city.
 Washington, Jan. 23.-Captain Her. bert Winslow. acting commandant of the Navy Yard reported to the navy to-day he had been in- formed by wireless that the steamship Republic was reported in a sinking