New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-05
BUNKER HILL HITS ROCK
Steamer Runs on Hidden OBJ
struction Off NobSka Point.
NO PANIC ABOARD BOAT
Passengers Transferred to An
other Steamer-Vessel Then
Resumes Voyage.
NO PANIC ABOARD BOAT
trr Telegraph 70 The Tribune

fBy Telegraph to The Tribune
Boston. Aug 4-The steamer Bunker Hill
of the Maine Steamship Line, when LETT
Now York at 1 O'Clock yesterday AFTERNOON
for Boston. grounded on reef OF NopsKa
Point at $40 o'clock this morning, Out
soon worked off. and an hour later came
10 anchor in Vineyard Haven Harbor'
across Vineyard Sound, with one OF her
forward compartments full of water,
big hole having been stove in the bottom
but otherwise apparently unchanged. Al
o'clock the passengers. whose earlier
ceiling had naturally been that Of appre-
hension, which, however, at no time couId
he called panicky, were transferred to
local steamboat. the Uncatena, OF the Nan
tucket. Marthas Vineyard and New beu-
ford Line, which carried them ana 'oeH
trunks and other belongings TO Noon 5
Hole, a forty-mnute voyage where they
took a New Haven train To Boston, arrl'-
ing there at 1915 o'clock. two hours later
than they would have landed II the steam
G.. had not met with mishap.
All were weary from having been up
most OF the night, but after II was all
over. were not sorry to have had the ex-
porience of q shipwreck in which no lie
had been lost and no one on board had
suffered any injury.
The moon had been shining brightly
during the evening, and at the time OF the
grounding the sky was brilliantly clear
with the Milky Way and all the stars OF
the heavens visible, and the sea was en-
trely smooth. \ few persons were on
deck. enjoying the starlit sea, and. accord
ing to their stories, the vessel appeared
to be heading for the Nobska Point Light
when she was abruptly brought TO stand
still a few hundred feet from the light
house.
The vessel struck twice the first contact
which was brief. was evidenced by rasp-
ing under the keel. with a shivering vlbra-
ton which warned those who CHANGED 70 De
awake that something unusual had hap
pened. In an instant came heavy lurch,
as the vessel pulled of the reef into deep
water. and. within a few seconds. much
Longer scra ping was heard and felt. and the
steamer stood fast Some light sleepers put
their heads ont Of their staterooms when
the first shock was felt, and asked the
stewards on night duty what was the mat
ter. The answers were reassurng. but
with the second grounding the passengers
began to come out Of the rooms with outer
garments hastily thrown on to find out, by
personal investigation. II any cause for
alarm existed. Many slept through both of
the shocks being awakened later by the
sound Of voices in the Railways; but. within
half an hour or so. most of the passengers
were up and fully dressed. and wandering
changing suggestions as To juS what had
happened and holding up the petty officers
who occasionally passed. and who eXplaineI
that the vessel had struck on a reef. The
wireless could lie heard busilv huzzine. and
the knowledge that word of the vesseis
plight was being sent out, coupled with the
nearness Of the shore on both sides. AS wit
messed by several lights. and the fact that
the night was clear and the sea quiet. had
a calming effect upon everyone. as md the
appearance Of the lights Of two vessels,
which soon moved away.
There were no women in Mysteries and
no men showing anxiety 10 take to the
boats The Bunker Tlill when she struck
the reef the second time. stayed fast for
ten or fifteen minutes and then her en-
gines, which had been quiet for awhile.
started at half-speed running about ten
minutes and hating again. then starting
up once more. The captain and the prin-
cipal officers were busy in examining the
damage done and i'm working the vessel
across to Vineyard Haven harbor. and II
was not until day began to dawn that
most of those on board were able 10 learn
definitely where they were. The dining
room was thrown open at ]: 80 O'Clock, and
coffee and rolls were served free 20 about
hundred and nifty OF the passengers
cheering them greatly. although two or
three mon were heard to utter bitter COM
plant because the bar was not opened for
patronage.
The absence Of panlcky feeling was no
ticeabe Indeed, before the full situation
was known TO the passengers, 9rd while
II was felt by them that "A leak light have
been caused which would make II neces-
sary 10 use the small boats, one Iarty of
four began game Of bridge on the upper
deck. and their calmness WAS typical. Two
or three OF the passengers slept through
all the turmoil of the might. being awak
ened AT 6 o'clock by the megaphoning in
the passageways Of an announcement that
the passengers were To he transferred in
fifteen minutes"
The process OF transferring the 20 pas
sengerr 10 the relief vessel was accom-
pllshed without confusion, and then the
Bunker Hi, on instructions received from
New York. started at once for ;hat city
Although leaking considerably. the ships
pumps were able to dispose Of 'he water
taken I'm.
Captain Lewis said that II II had not
been for the passengers he would have
continued his voyage after the accident
but he deemed It prudent, under the cir
cumstances, 10 seek the shelter ~ Vine
yard Haven ilarbor.
FORTRESS COLLAPSES; 9 KILLED.