The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-01-26
STORY OF HEROlSM.
Continued from Page One.
Island College Hospital

rival in port OF all the $50 pas
sengers of the oceaR- liners Republic
and Florida who participated in the
thrilhng'y d arnatio incidents follow
ing the crash of those steamships
in the fog last Saturday morning.
comes the story of seaman's recre-
ancy in time OF danger and the
commanders instant punishment of
the panic stricken wheelman who
was responsible for the collision.
Adaordfrly TO stories toll by pas
sengers on the, Florida. the steamer
which manned THE other, something
went wrong on the bridge when the
crash was imminent. Some say that
uuartemaSter was at the steer
ing wheel when the commander
yelled 20 him to jam to starboard
He PUT into port instead and the
liners smashed into each other. 9th.
ers say that the wheelman dropped
the wheel in panic when danger
impended
Which ever version rs correct, all
agree in declaring that the comman-
der Of the Florhla felled the quar-
termaster with an iron spike. Several
injured men are aboard the Florida,
but which one OF these Is the victim
OF the commanders spike is yet to
be learned.
Capt Rospini OF the Florida re-
fused to talk when questioned The
occurrence on the bridge, however.
now that the important work OF res
cue has been completed, will receive
the attention of the officials In try
ing to learn the circumstances OF the
disaster.
Probably not until bohh COM
manders have made their formal
statements will the actIhl facts he
known. Possibly the verdict OF a
marine court will be needed to de-
termine them. Fortunately there are
few cases OF questionable behavior on
the part. Of any one concerned On
the tragedy 10 be probed. ...
Standing out prominently, on the
other hand. is the conduct of Capt
sealby Of the Republic. who, true to
his ship beneath him as long as there
was enough Of her afloat to AFFORD
him q foOthold And practically all
accounts aqree that, aside from the
starting OF an incipient panic among
tine steerage passengers on the Flor
ida, both ships forces and passen-
gers kept their heais well in the
midst OF most trying conditions.
II Is less than seventy-two hours
after the crash between the ocean
liners Republic and Florida off the
Nantucket shoals, which eventually
sent the one to the bottom and re-
drced the other to state of stagger-
ing helplessness, Out the Survivors OF
this thrilling deep sea tragedy have
found haven.
AZ ntIgbtfal 1850 pas engers from
the two vesseis were safe in this
port brought here by the Baltic,
while nearing 1t were the rescued
officers and crew of the Republic
safe on board the derelict destroyers
Seneca, TO which they were trans
ferred from the revenue cutter Gres-
ham after staying up to the last
moment by their sinking vessels.
LAT her dock in Brooklyn was the
battered Florida, aboard which hei
crew had remained throughout her
trying experiences.
Only the III fated Republic was
wanting to complete the list. And
she, too, was in port--her last port
of call, what VIII doubtless prove
her final residing place beneath thir'
ty-eight fathOms Of water, flfteer
miles south Of the Nantucket south
shoals llehtship
As the STIRRING story OF what o.
1urred when the steamer crashed II
the fog and mist OF that memorable
early morning OF last Saturday anc
the dramatic Incidents which fol
lowed approaches completeness, 1t be
sins 20 be apparent that the pas
three days have witnessed what h
beyond question the most remarkable
series OF happenings in the histor!
OF modern navigation.
No argosy of 'he olden days bring
ing golden treasure home was eve
more heartily welcomed than tn
rescued passengers. Frenzied cheer
from the thousands at the pier wheI
the Baltic docked greeted her arriy
al, tears Of thanltfulness were shed
affeetionate greetings were exnhang
ed and only here and there did
note of sadness intrude itself upol
the scene.
Following the Baltic up the har
bor was the liner FLORIDA batterei
almost % the sinking point hersel
by tho force OF the blow she deal
the Replhiic. and beamng the bod
ies OF her own three dead and tn
injured members Of her crew. Blu
OF the dread scenes OF anguish tina
would have been enacted had no
fortuItious circumstances stepped 4
to aid human heroism and s,ientifi
marvel, there was hardly sugges