Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-05-26


senger steamer James r. Morse which
plies between Rockland and Bar Har-
Dor, was sunk at her berth today by
the Boston Bangor steamer Belfast.
No lives We're lost, but % of the crew
on the Morse had miraculous es-
cape The Belfast was only slightly
damaged and proceeded to Bangor
A great hole was cut in the star
board bog. forward of the pilot house
of the Morse, about 10 feet in width
and nearly to the keelson. She sank
almost Immediately after the Belfast
pulled away. The Belfast sustained
some bent bow plates on both sides.
but otherwise was not damaged
in the bow of the James r. Morse
We're the quarters of five firemen, then
a space about 10 feet in width. then
the quarters for the II deck hands.
Directly into the space between the two
sets Of quarters the Belfast cut
wedSed shaped opening about half the
width of the Morse
Although the % men were sleeping
in these quarters, all escaped without
injury except Abner Critch, q deck
hand and native of Newfoundland.
who was pinned to his berth by fall
ing beams and was rescued by Lee
Nane, another deck hand The escape
of the crew was considered wonder
full
There We're six passengers on the
Morse. but their staterooms We're we'll
aft and they We're in no particular
danger except they were given only IL
very few minutes in which to seek
refuge on the wharf.
Thc vessels were in contact about
minute as near as could be cstimat-
cd, and when the Belfast drew away
the Morse Immediately was flooded and
Is minutes after the crash was resting
on the bottom of the dock.
The passengers, deck hands and fire.
men saved little or nothing of their
personal effects and were glad enough
| to escape with their lives.
The James r. Morse. commanded by
| Capt r. l.. Winterbotham. lays over
night at the southern berth of 'rillSOn
wharf. ready to connect for Bar Har-
| Dor on the arrival of the steamer from
Boston. In order to make her berth
the Boston steamer has to make a wide
| circle. The weather was very fogcy
| this morning and the tide was low.
making the docking conditions much
worse than usual. When the Belfast.
commanded by Capt. Ezra w. Curtis
| came across a shoal spot to the south
ward of the wharf the rudder refused
| to obey, failing to take effect in the
| shoal water, about 20 feet from the
wharf and the Morse.
Waterman D. Fl Weed of the Morse
saw that the Belfast was keeping
straight on her course instead of alter
ing it as she should do to go into her
| berth. Realizing the Morse was sure
to he rammed he shouted to the sleep
ing passengers and crew and some
rushed out. but most of them were in
their berthS when The shock came.
Lighters soon were on hand taking
out some of the freight, At low tide
the Morse was under water up to the
frcgh deck The damage to the steam
or was between $4,000 and $4,000. Most
of the freight was from Portland and
local points. brought here last night by
coastwiSe steamers.
The officials telegraphed to Boston
for divers and VIM. McKie, the build
err. and they were expected here today
IT was uncertain whether repairs VIII
he made at Camden or East Boston.
Chief Engineer Allen of the Mors
stated that when he heard the watch
mans cry he thought he heard some
one on the Belfast shout to let go the
anchors, but the Waterman did not
hear It. Chief Engineer Allen instant
" ordered the bulllheads shut and they
vcra closed but did little service be-
cause of the extent of the damage.
Tte lanes r. Morse was built at
East Boston by William McKie at a
cost of $4,000 and made her frSt trip
on June 90, 1904. She was the fastest
boat of her type in Maine waters. Shc
rog;stcrs $50 gross tonnage. 10y feet
long. 81 feet beam and II feet deep
She was named for an uncle OF Charic
w. Morse and Bath is her nome pol.-
Word was received that Mr.. Mckle
had been given the contract 10 ra'9e
and repair the Morse and that oie"
and equipment will arrive toh'oiroN
morning. Temporary repairs WIN '0
made here to place the steamer In con
dition to be lowed to Boston
| repairs will require at least moIl.h'
| according to the local estimates Inc
loss on the freight will be small as
| the most of it was saved before oa'n-
| age was DONE Both steamers are o"h-
ed by the Eastern Steamship co.
Bangor, Me. May 25.-On the arriN-
al of the Belfast at II o'clock, captain
Curtis made the following statement
| I'VE went into Rockland under SLOW
speed in thick fog A fresh south
west wind was on our port quarter ana
the ship would not respond to the
| wheel and slued. I Immediately gave
the back bell and had the port anchor
| dropDed to aid in stacking speed. We