The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-02-10
STEAMER REPUBLIC SUNK
BY COLLISION At SEA
Other Vessels Called by Wire
less Telegraphy.
2 PASSENGERS, 4 SAILORS LOST
Two Ocean Liners Crash in Fog Off
Nantucket - Florida Disabled,
the Other Goes to Bottom
Thrilling Story of Rescue.

the Other Goes to Bottom
Thrilling Story of Rescue.
New York City.-With 1850 survi.
vors of the collision between the
White Star liner Republic and the
Italian Lloyd steamship Florida or
board, the White Star liner Baltic
was reported by wireless telegraph al
l a. m. off Sandy Hook. On board
the vessel also are the bodies Of sil
persons, who lost their lives in the
collision off Nantucket, R. I.
There was no n on board when
the Republic went down. She had
been headed toward this city in tow
of the revenue cutter Gresham, and
when II became evident she could not
keep afloat her captain and crew were
taken on board the cutter.
It was difficult work getting the
men on the Republic into the small
boats sent from the Gresham. There
was danger of the lifeboats being
smashed against the side of the liner,
and the Gresham's men had to man
euvre carefully to keep out of dan
ger. The captain of the ship and his
first mate, who were the last to leave
the steamer, we're compelled to jump
into the water, the captain sending
the mate ahead. They were picked
up by the men in a lifeboat.
Twice, in the thick fog that hung
yer the sea, the passengers on
board the Republic were transferred
to other vessels. First they were
taken on board the Florida, which
also was suffering from the collision.
1t became apparent, however, that
the captain decided he must send
away not only the human load that
had been taken from the Republic,
but his own passengers as well.
In the second transfer the wireless
messages that had flashed the danger
of the Republic for hundreds Of miles
played an important part. The mist
that shrouded the ships made it i'm
possible to distinguish the outlines Of
objects fifty yards away. The click
ing Of the instruments in the rooms
of the wireless operators told Of the
position of the vessels, however, and
the second transfer was made safely.
The men, women and children who
had been carried through the fog
from the Republic to the Florida
again were taken off in the small
boats of the Baltic. When all Of
them had been transferred safely, the
Florida's passengers were taken of.
There was no panic, not even dis
order. though 1t took all night to
make the second transfer.
Altogether the Baltic carries 1850
passengers she took from the Florida.
Those who were on the Florida when
the collision occurred will receive
their baggage, for that ship is coming
into port under her own steam. But
the belongings of the men and women
on the Republic probably are lost,
for it is not regarded as probable that
the vessel will be raised.
In the exciting incidents that fol-
lowed the collision, vi ocean liners
took an active part. They were the
Baltic, New York, Furnessia, La Lor-
raine, Lucania, Republic and Florida.
Wireless messages flashed between
the ships, keeping officers and passen-
gers in a high state of excitement.
While the telegraph instruments
clicked their messages, four Of the
ocean liners vainly were searching
for the injured steamer. La Lorraine
was so close to the Republic that the
disabled vessels bell was heard, yet
her outline could not be e When
La Lorraine arrived in port her cap
tain said 1t was entirely possible that
he passed within q hundred yards of
the sinking vessel.
The victims of the accident were
Mrs. F. Lynch, Of Boston; w. J.
Mooney of Langdon, N. D., and four
seamen. 1t Is believed they were
crushed to death when the Prov of
the Florida cut far into the Repub-
lies side. Mrs. Lynch's husband and
NJ ]. Murphy. also passengers on the
Republic, were injured
Officials Of the White Star line sent
word to the relatives of those who
had been killed or injured, and re-
plies were received that members of
the families would start for this city.
Mooney and his wife and the Lynches
were on a pleasure trip to the Medi-
terranean, and they occupied state
rooms on the top deck. on the port
side att. In the absence Of definite
information, the White Star officials
cannot figure how the Moneys and
Mrs. Lynch met death, as the Repub-
lie was struck a%midships.
A thrilling story Of the search for
the endangered vessel was told by
Captain Edward Tournier, Of La Lor-
raine. The heavy fog had caused
him to remain on the bridge through
out the night. Early on Saturday the
operator received the ominous signal,
GOD" which means Come quick!
Danger!" All his sleepiness fed and
he waited %anxiously for the more def
mite information he knew would fol-
low.
Republic wrecked: wants assist
ance," the instrument clicked, and
the operator carried the message to
the captain.
ASK them where they are and tell
them I'm coming" Captain Tournier
replied.
Latitude 40.17. longitude TO-"
the message anne from the Republic.
A reply was sent saying La Lor-
YOUNG GIRL MURDERED IN SHED