The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-01-29
REPUBLIC BLAMED
italian Line Declares Other
Was Going Too Fast.
NO SIGNAL BY WHITE STAR'LINER
Sunken Vessel and Cargo Were
Worth $2s,OOo,0oO, but Only
$1,02o,000 Can Possibly Be
Recovered In Suit.

New York, Jan. 27.-After q confer
ence between Captain Ruspini Of the
Italian Lloyds steamship Florida, Os-
car l.. Richards, United States agent
of the line, and Archibald Thatcher,
an admiralty lawyer, the following
charges were made by the above men,
toned against the White Star liner
Republic, which was rammed and
sunk off Nantucket:
when the Republic became visible
I'm the fog she was crossing the bow
Of the Florida from starboard to port
and running at high rate Of speed.
"The helm of the Florida was
promptly put to starboard, hoping to
swing the bow Of the Italian steamer
to starboard and to assist in avoiding
the danger of collision. The other
steamer was, however, running so fast
that the vessels collided.
'rhe officers Of the Florida are i'm no
way to blame for the collision. On the
bridge at the time were Captain Ru-
spini, First officer Rafaello Garguile
and Quartermaster.
'They were proceeding cautiously in
their course, sounding the fog signal
frequently. They first heard the Re
probably a mile and a half to the
northwest. They held their course. No
signal was given them by the Repub-
lie indicating that they should go to
starboard or port.
THE sound of the Republics whis-
tie became palmer. Captain Ruspini
reduced the speed of his boat to five
miles an hour. Suddenly the Republic,
which had turned to the southeast
from the course she held when her
fog signals were first heard, loomed
up right in front of the Florida. The
collision was unavoidable"
If the admiralty court holds that the
officers Of the Florida were at fault
when the italian steamship rammed
the Republic the owners of the Florida
will be liable to the extent of $1,O20,-
300. This is the value of the Florida,
her passenger fares and cargo charges.
The Lloyd Italiano, or the SOcieta di
w
owns the Florida is varlously known,
purchased the Florida three years ago
for $1,000O00. The value of the fares
and cargo carrying charges amounted
to $4,000. Although the Republic and
what went down with her was worth
S2,S00,000, the owners Of the Florida
cannot be held responsible beyond the
value of the Florida.
Captain William 1. Sealby Of the Re-
public and Jack Binns, wireless opera
tor Of the steamship, received a rous-
Ing greeting when they went to the
White Star lines office today to make
n report Of the disaster. An extended
conference was held to determine more
definitely the circumstances surround
Ing the collision of the Republic with
the steamship Florida off Nantucket
lightship.
Captain Sealby and two Of his off,
GERS will leave for London on Satur-
day to make personal report to the
officers of the company there.
The passengers committee formed
by survivors of the Republic held q
meeting at the Waldorf-AstOria. Reso-
lutions commencing the bravery of the
crew and passengers, especially the
women, were drawn up. The commit
tee adjourned to meet later, the date
not being set. One Of its objects, It is
said, is to look after the rights of the
passengers in recovering on their lost
baggage and valuables.
Captain A. NJ. Ruspini of the Florida
is being highly praised for his courage
and seamanship in disregarding the
injuries to his vessel after 1t had been
damaged in the collision with the Re-
public and going to the rescue of that
sinking vessel and taking or her pas
sengers. He is winning additional
praise for his feat in being able to get
the wreck into New York.