Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-09-23
BRITISH CRUISER
RAMS OLYMPIC
Greatest Steamer Badly Dam.
aged in Collision
1000 PASSENGERS ABOARD
Large Hole Smashed In Her Side
When D.. M. S. Hawke Hits Her.
Warship Also Damaged.

Warship Also Damaged.
The Olympic. the proudest OF the
White Star company's transatlantic
liners, and the biggest passenger YES
sci afioat, returned to Southampton,
England, four hours after she had
sailed from that port for New York,
with a big hole in her starboard bow,
but with her more than 1000 passen-
gers unframed.
The passengers had an exciting tale
to tell OF a collision with the British
cruiser Hawke off the Isle OF Wight.
The steamer took considerable water,
and II was at first thought that Il
would be necessary to beach her, and
Captain Smith made for q mud bank
in the Cowes Roadstead. The prompt
closing of the collision doors. how
ever, effectually stopped the thrush OF
the sea. and her commander. con-
WINGED that there was no immediate
danger, brought his vessel about and
headed for Southampton.
The Olympic Is anchored of Cal
shot Castle at the entrance to South
ampton Water The hole In the Olym-
pics hull is forty feet long.
Many of the first class cabin pas
sengers are expected to return to
London and the White Star company
is engaging hotel accommodations
there for them. The Olympic's passen-
gers and mails probably will proceed
for New York by the steamers sailing
from British ports on Saturday.
Watchers at Cowes saw the steamer
moving toward the shore. then stop,
and believing that she had been beach
ed. sent out the report to this effect.
Later. when she drew away. 1t was
supposed that the liner had been
foated without assistance. The Olym.
pic was off Osborne bay, on the north
coast of the Isle of Wight. on the way
to Cherbourg, her first immediate stop
ON the way TO Queenstown and New
York, when the accident occurred.
An eyewitness of the collision said
that the Hawke was undergoing steam
trials following extensive repairs at
Portsmouth and was travelling at
great speed when she overlook the
Olympic. The cruiser was passing the
liner to the starboard when suddenly
the former drew in and crashed into
the steamers quarter about twenty
feet from the stern. This witness said
he thought that the warship had been
drawn against the other vessel by the
suction After the impact the Hawke
drew astern and her crew threw the
collision mats over a badly damaged
bow.
The Olympic, as she drew away from
the cruiser. exhibited an ugly hole into
which great quantities of water raced.
Captain Smith ordered the collision
doors closed and turned his vessel
toward the beach. At the same time he
signalled for assistance to Portsmouth
and Cowes, both of which ports sent
tugs. but the later were not finally
required. A quick examination show
ed that the Olympic was still seawor-
thy and she was brought about and
steamed slowly for this port. The
Hawke was also able to make Ports.
mouth without aid. The cruiser ar
rived there under her own steam, dip
ping slightly at the bow and steam
ing astern.
There was considerable excitement.
but no panic on board the liner. the
passengers of which were quickly re-
assured by the officers The weather
was somewhat thick and there WIS
rain and squall at the time OF the ac-
cident, but the haze was not sufficient
to obscure either vessel from tho
other.