Norwich bulletin., 1909-01-27
Statement Regarding the Collision Made by
 Agents of Italian Liner Florida
DIRECT CHARGE AGAINST THE REPUBLIC
Captain of the Florida Declined to Make Any Statement but Held Long Conference with His Agents-Capt Sealby and Wireless Operator Binns Heroes of the Day-Bis Crowd Met Them at White Star Pier

New York, Jan. 26.-Features of the day in the aftermath of the Nan tucket collision, which resulted in the loss of the White Star liner Republic, the serious damaging of the Italian liner Florida, the death of six persons and the injury of several others, were the honors extended to Captain l. Sealoy and Wireless Operator Jack Binns of the Republic and statement by the F1orida's people as to how the collision occurred The White Star people promise their version of the causes Of the collision tomorrow.
 Enthusiastic Admirers Wait for Sealby
 and Binns.
 The day began with the landing at the White Star pier of Captain Seal by and Operator Binns. big crowd awaiting them cheered the men heart fly, while a score of enthusiastic ad- rnirers tossed the men to their shoul- ders and thus carried them to the steamship offices on the floor above. Here the captain and Binns held re- ception, receiving the congratulations of scores of callers, and here Captain Sealby modestly told the story of how he stood by his ship until she sank be- meath him. Later Captain Sealby and Operator Binns, accompanied by Cap tain Ranson of the Baltic, went to the FNIllLC h9A1l OtllNGS O4A lONCA IbA O1lNtN fAN Q where another great crowd met them and the ovation was repeated.
 Florida Going Into Drydoek.
 On the Brooklyn waterfront. at Bush's stores, the Florida, which ram med her nose into the Republics side with such force as to give that ship what proved her death blow, was the scene of much activity. Her seamen were clearing away the debris and making her shipshape so that she might go into drydcck for repairs. Statement by Agents of Liner Florida.
 Captain Ruspini declined to make any statement as to the cause of the collision, but after a conference with representatives Of C. B. Richards & company, his agents, and Archibald Thatcher an admiralty lawyer Rich ards & company gave out a statement Regarding the circumstances of the col nsion. It's feature was the direct charge that the Republic was running Jt also refuted reports that the quar- termaster of the Florida was to blame and that the captain struck the man. The statement says:
 Running at Moderate Speed.
 The Florida had experienced fog at intervals for some hours before the collision and a dense fog existed at the time of the collision. The Florida had been proceeding at moderate speed, blowing her fog whistle frequently.
 Lookout Was Doubled.
 "The captain and chief officers in charge of her navigation were on the bridge and the quartermaster was at the wheel, and the lookout was doubled on acGount of the fog.
 "The Florida was proceedingly slow ly when the fog whistles of another steamer which afterwards proved to be the Republic, were heard by the of- lcers and loOlSouts off the starboard bow of the Italian steamer.
 Engines of Florida Reversed
 '"rhe engines of the Florida were re- versed and two signals of three whis- ties were blown indicating that the engines were going astern. The col lision nevertheless took place. the bow of the Florida striking the port side of tne Republic somewhat aft of amid ships. causing serioIs damage to both steamers.
 Helm damned to starboard.
 When the Republic became visible through the fog she was crossing the bow of the Florida from starboard to port and running at a high rate of speed. The helm of the Florida was promptly put to starboard, hoping to ewing the bow of the Italian steamer co starboard and to assist in avoiding the danger of collision. The other steamer was, however, running so fast that the vessels collided.
 Tt was afterwards ascertained that the steamer which eOllided with the Florida was the Republic of the White Star line.
 "The collision occurred some dis tance southeast of Nantucket tight ahip about 5.45 a. r., Saturday, the Z5d of January, 1909.
 No Misunderstanding of Orders.
 The statements which have ap- effect that there@was any misunder- standing of orders on the bridge of the Florida are not true. The orCers given by the captain were promptly and properly executed.
 NO criticism whatever is made by the captain or any of the officers against any member of the crew of the F1oridR. The captain and officers are satishyd that every man did his duty. There' is no foundation whatever for the story that any member of the crew was struck or reprimanded by the cap tain or any of the officers.
 After the collision occurred and af. fer the Florida had ascertained the ex- tent of her own injuries she rendered such assistance as lay in her power to the Republic and her passengers"
 Death of Eugene Lynch.
 A sad incident of the day was the death of Eugene Lynch of Boston in tho Long Island hospital at Brooklyn. He succumbed to the serious injuries he received when the Florida crashed into the Republics side, just where his etateroom was located His wife, who was with him, was killed instantly Her body, together with that of w. J. Mooney. a banker of Langdon, N. D., were encased in metallic caskets and went down with the Republic when that ship sank Sunday night near No Mans land.
 Injured Doing We'll.
 The others injured in the collision, including Mrs. NJ. J. Murphy of Grand Forks, " D., who was most seriously hurt, are reported as doing splendidly in the hospitals here to which they were conveyed. It is thought all will recover.
 HOW TWO MEN REPRINTED"