Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1909-01-24

BOSTON, Jan. 23-The White Star line
steamer Republic, bound from New York
to the Mediterranean, having on board 761
people. of whom go were American cabin
passengers was rammed during a thick fog
at $40 a. m. today by an unidentified vessel
off Nantucket island and only escaped i'm
mediate sinking by the prompt closing OF
its watertight compartments. All the. pas
sengers, including al in the steerage, were
transferred three hours after the accident
to the italian steamer Florida, bound from
Naples to New York. but the officers and
crew OF tho Republic refused to leave the
ship so long as there was a chance OF keep
ing II aEoat.
Wireless telegraphy played an important
part in the accident, for it summoned about
the Republic in few hours a fleet Of three
large ocean liners. La Lorraine of the
French. line, the Baltic OF the White Star
line and the Cunarder Ducania.
1t Is apparent that the Florida must have
been between thirty and forty miles off
her course in being anywhere near the Re
public. as the eastbound and westbound
steamer lanes here are this distance apart.
AS soon as the Republic had been struck
and the extent OF the damage had become
known. wireless calls for assistance were
sent broadcast over the Atlantic All ves-
sells within range of the mysterious pulsa-
tions were asked to hasten to the scene
The call Off help which the Republic
had sent into space was first recorded on
land at the Charleston navy yard at s this
morning. 1t said: ITO revenue cutter
Gresham, Boston. Steamer Republic in
distress and sinking. Latitude 4O:17, longi-
tude 20, twenty-six miles southwest of Nan
tucket."
The Gresham was not at the navy yard
but intercepted the appeal in Provlncetown
harbor 1t started Immediately for Nan
tucket. Other wireless apparatus also
caught the message and in a short time the
cutter Acushnet was on its way out from
Woods Hole; the Mohawn. another rev.
enue cutter, had started from New Bedford
and the Seneca had been ordered out from
New London, Conn. The Mohawk soon ran
/ aground. while the Acushnet did not get
outside Of Vineyard sound, and later came
back to assist andother vessel in distress.
| Steamer Baltic Arrives.
! NEW YORK, Jan. 3.--At 7:15 p. m. the
Marconi operator at the Siasconset wire
less station was in communication with the
| Lucania, which, upon being informed of
the injury TO the Florida, at once set out
in the direction Of the Italian vessel. The
French liner La Lorraine at the time was
also in pursuit OF the Florida.
The White Star officials at 7:S0 o'clock to-
night received a wireless message from
! Captain Ransom of the steamer Baltic,
stating that he had ofund the Republic
and also the Florida and that he was
standing by both vessels. La Lorraine and
the Lucania were also in the vicinity and
in communication by wireless.
Captain Ransom's message indicated the
Florida was still at the scene and that
the report thatit had started for New
York was wrong.
No Lives Are Lost.
News of the collision between the White
Star liner Republic and an unknown vessel
was received by wireless telegraph here and
in Boston. The White Star liner Baltic and
FIerch line steamer La Lorraine, both pro.
ceedng westward, picked up the news by
wireless while off Lang Island and turned
and went to the assistance OF the Repub-
;ic. wireless report was received from
Captain Sealhy of the Republic at 10 o'clock
this morning that the revenue cutter
Acushnet from Woods Hole had reached
the Republic and was standing by.
Captain Sealby sent the following WIRE
less telegram to the local office OF the
White Star company:
when twenty-six miles south of Nan
tucket lghtship this morning. was run
into by an unknown vessel Engine room
foil of water. Can remain afloat No
danger. and no lives lost"
Prominent Passengers on Board.
Some of the more prominent passengers
on board the Republic are General Brayton
Ives. Prof. John NJ Coulter, Mr.. and Mrs
David s. Cowles, Alexander S. Bell, Count