The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-07-18
CREW JUMPS AS
BOAT IS RAMMED
John W. Gates Lesves Course and
cOllides With Stern of Tampa,
Tied To Dock.


Gates, owned by the steel trust, took
sudden turn from her course while
coming down the Detroit river. about
O'Clock Tuesday morning, shot across
the stream to the Canadian shore
rammed her bow into the steamer
Tampa, loaded with $500 tons OF red
sand, sinking her, and then steamed
away, the captain not even waiting 10
see whether or not the members OF
the Tampa crew escaped with their
lives. The Gates, however, didn't get
away without a little damage TO her.
self. Part OF her bow was stove In
and her anchor Is still stuck In the
Tampa's side. having been separated
from the Gates when the latter pulled
away. The anchor was lying over the
DOW or the Gates when the Tampa
was rammed.
The Gates. after the collision, went
out into midstream and remained
there for about an hour. Then she
pulled up stakes" and continued on
her way. II was thought that she
had delayed for the purposes OF max.
ing report OF the collision to the
United States marine. authorities IN
Detroit, but the latter told The Times
that they had received no word from
the captain Of the Gates.
1t Is not likely that we'll get an
omcial report OF the collision here" "
said one OF the United States marine
omcials. unless the Gates happens
TO be registered here. In all proba bill.
lty the Gates is registered In Cleye-
iand, inasmuch as she belongs TO the
steel trust"
Capt. j. Il. Hanson, Of Detroit, who
IS commanding the Tampa, said, Tues
day morning. that he believed the
steering gear OF the Gates may have
got out OF commission, thus causing
her to veer from her course and bump
into the Tampa.
or course, we'll not know inst
what caused the collision until the
captain OF the Gates makes an er-
pianation, said Capt. Hanson. "Ail
1 know now Ii that--the Tampa a
sunk, and that the John w. Gates
sank her. There was no fog when the
collision occurred"
All the members OF the Tampa's
crew, except Fireman Thomas Moore.
were astir when the accident hap.
pened. Moore was asleep In the low
er part OF the boat and had to be call,
ed twice before he was aroused. The
Tampa sank within Is minutes after
being struck, with the result that no.
body on the vessel had time to save
any personal belongings except the
clothes being worn.
William Brown, the steward OF the
Tampa. living In Port Huron. was on
the deck of the Tampa and saw the
collision.
1 saw the Gates coming toward
us, said Brown to The Times. "and
wondered why she was coming
right at us. She got closer and closer
until she was within few feet of us.
when the watchman on the Gates
yelled at US. Look out, there Then
came the smash. In another minute
the Gates pulled away from us and
the Tampa then began to sink. II
all took place Sc fast that could
hardly realize that our boat was sink
Ing. There was no fog. We all es-
capped by jumping ashore.
The Tampa Is now lying on the
Dottom OF the river, few rods above
the Walkerville ferry landing, in about
so feet OF water. She came down
from Lake Superior, last Saturday
night, with 5000 tons Of sand for the
Ontario Asphalt Co., of Walkeryille.
About 500 tons had been removed up
to Monday night.
Capt. Hanson said that the Tampa
would be raised as soon as possible.
She Is wooden steamer, built a mum.
Der OF years ago. Henry w. Wine
man, Jr., OF Detroit, is the present
owner.
Among the members of the Tam.
pa are: Fred Moore. Cleveland, mate:
Milo o. Roach, Detroit. chief engi-
neer; A. Mcconnell, Detroit, second
engineer; VIM. Nixon and Martin
Hanson, Detroit, wheelsman; Steve
Browsi, Detroit, fireman.