Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-01-28
Messages Sent Broadcast Through the
Air Reach Many Ships
and Stations.
Passengers Were Largely People of
Prominence Bent on Pleasure
Abroad.

Nantucket, Mass, Jan 24.-In crop
ing her way through a dense fog off
the Nantucket hghtship at dawn yes
terday the steamer Florida of the
Lloyd Italiani line bound to New
York from Naples, dealt death blow
to the outward bound steamer Repub-
lie, of the White Star line, laden with
pleasure seeking passengers for south
ern Europe and with supplies for the
United States battleship fleet. The
Florida, proving to be less seriously
injured than the other steamer, took
aboard the Republics passengers al
most Immediately.
While the passengers and crew Of
the Republic were saved by the Flor
ida, the fact that the Republic had
been seriously injured and was sink
ing was spread broadcast over the At
lautic for a distance of more than 100
miles by means of wireless telegTa-
phy The mystic hand OF MarcOni
waves touched the steamers Baltic
and La Lorraine on their way to New
York and brought them around to the
aid of the sinking liner.
The steamer LuCania, four revenue
cutters and a naval collier were also
notified of the plight of the Repub-
lie. Stout water tight compartments
Is hours. The water tight compart-
ments also kept the Florida not only
above the water, but enabler her to
return to the assistance Of the Repub-
lie after the recoil of the collision.
The ships collided at $50 a. m. 26
miles southwest of the Nantucket
lightship. The next three hours were
occupied in summoning aid and trans
rerring passengers, $50 cabin and 211
steerage, from the Republic to the
Florida. At p. m. came word from
the Baltic that she was alongside of
the stricken vessel.
Many italians on Board.
One by one the great water tight
compartments on board the Republic
filled as The bulkhCads gave way I'M
der the pressure and at o'clock
last night all hand were ordered to
abandon the ship and officers and
crew went over the sides into their
boats.
It had been ascertained that the
Florida was capable of taking care OF
the entire ships company Of the Re
public Notwithstanding that she had
on board in addition to her own crew
of 200. nearly 900 Italians bound for
New York.
No effort, therefore, was made to
transfer the Republics passengers to
the Baltic until near midnight, when
the weather became threatening. The
Baltic. it is expected, will reach New
York this evening.
Operator Sticks to Post.
During the excitement of the trans
fer Of the passengers to the Florida,
an operator on the Republic stood by
his post and flashed wireless rays ask
ing for aid. He had heard his fellow
operators on board the La Lorraine,
Baltic and Lucania speaking words of
announcement and telling him Of the
fastening as istance and of the reVe-
nue. cutters. Gresham and Seneca, run
ming at full speed from the New Eng
land coast. But the dense fog hamp-
ored considerably the oncoming YES
sells and although the Baltic reached
the vicinity Of the Republic at 2 p.
n. it took her four hours to definite
Iy locate the sinking ship. The Baltic
hove to half mile from the Repub
lie. shortly after dark last night, and
then. drawing up a trifle closer, got
within megaphone distance of both
the Republic and the Florida. The
Lucania. was not for far off, and La
Lorraine in easy calling distance.
Other Marconi operators allowed the
Baltic full sweep for its messages and
the White Star line office in New York
was constantly informed Of the situa-
ton.
Anxiety in New York.
New York. Jan. 24.-Grave anxiety
prevailed here yesterday aud last
night as a result Of the thrilling marine
drama being enacted off Nantucket, on
the coast Of New England. following
the ramming of the White Star liner,
Republic, with 7G1 souls abroad, by
the steamer. Florida, Of the Lloyd
I-aliani line.
Wireless biography played an i'm
portant part in the grave incidents
happening at sea, far from shore, and
proved itself a blessing in the face of
q serious situation.
Last night the Offices Of the White
Star line remained open, to await
news of the progress Of events Of the
Nantucket, and to reassure the
streams Of anxious callers for infor-
nation. Persons with friends aboard
the Republic are standing about In
groups awaiting with reporters the
latest news. The steamer, General
Putnam, Is ready to put to sea to
meet the Florida, or any other vessel
that may bring rescued passengers to