Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-06-30
The Crew Of q Escape 10
Steamer in Their Dories.
Excited Passengers Quisted by
Cool Captain and Officers.

NfNStl anu GS'dptd uHiHJuFeu TO tHe
Nacoochee, which sustained only slight
damage.
The accident happened in Latitude
All N, Longitude I0.02 w, about Is
miles northwest by west of Cape Cod.
Almost with the impact the wireless
operator of the Nacoeehee sent his
danger call of S. O. S. pulsating
through the heavy mist. Nearly every
station within radius of Cape Cod
bay picked up the call. The Charles
town navy yard was the first to re-
spond. but interference from one of the
Cape Cod plants made her answer in
distinct To the Nacoochee and
the Merchants and Miners steam
er QHantieo from Philadel-
phia for Boston. was asked to
stand by the Nacoochee to watch de-
velopments The Nacoochee, it was
learned. sustained but minor damage.
Through the thick vaper the dim
outlines of a small sailing vessel could
be seen and few moments later there
came a hail from the dark and several
dories shot out of the gloom. into the
fare of the steamers lights Quickly
the occupants of hte dories swarmed
up the sides of the steamer and re-
ported that their vessel WAS the Cath
crime and Ellen. Ali the men were
mustered aft and a roll call showed
that all 20 of the crew of the little
schooner were safe and uHinjured. The
fate Of the schooner itself. they did not
know. With the crash of the steamer
into their side all hands had tumhlea
out on deck and thrown their dories
overheard when it was the. work of but
a few moments to reach the, steamer
As soon as the steamers officers
We're assured that no lives had been
lost and that their vessel was not maxi
ing water they flashed out the news to
the Quantico which then resumed her
slow journey through the fog. The
navy yard wireless at Gharlestown
was requested by the Nacoochee. to
stand by for further developments and
in the little office at the navy yard the
operator kept in touch through the
miles of mist-laden atmosphere with
the coastwise steamer off the bend of
Cape Cod. ready on an instant's notice
to dispatch to the scene all wireless
equipped vessels in tho Vicinity.
According to the Wireless operator
on the Naeoochee the Cape Cod coast
had been enyeloped in thick fog for
several hours and the steamer was
feeling her way slowly along when, at
1880, a little two-masted schooner
thrust itself out of the midst directly
into the steamers path. The men in
the pilot house of the steamer threw
over the wheel and the vessers nose
swung sharply around, just as the, lit
tie sailing vessel also veered oaSsbut
they were too close together to avoid
the crash. The schooner staggered off
into the fog bank.
The Nacoochee.s screws churned the
waters in the effort to bring the big
ship to a standstili. Searchlights
swept the seas until the faint outlines
of the smaller craft were made out
Then came a hail from the waters and
d swarm of dories filled with men shot
out of obscurity into the light radius
of the steamer. Mostsof the men had
their clothes on, but were shoeiess, for
on a night of dense fog in steamer
infested thoroughfare like Cape Cod
waters fishermen turn in prepa red for
any emergencies. They sayed little
but what they stood in and We're given
good care on board the steamer. which
continued her way slowly towards Bos-
top, 60 Nss'
The steamer carried several passengers
on this trip. many of whom We're vo-
men Owing to the disagreealae night.
many of thenfa had gone to b bertfis
early and the majority of Them were
just dropping off 70 sleep, barely cos
scious of the hoarse blasts of the steam
ers whistle at minute intervals when
the crash came. The shock sent trem-
or through the ship that gave many on
board an uncomfortable shaking and then
the drone of the fog horn was succeed
ed by quick sharB danger blasts. In
kmonas, bath robes and blankets the
frightened passengers rushed out of
their rooms and up on deck in great ex-
element As they dashed out of the
companionway they saw the quickly
moving figures of the crew leapins for
the boats The tarpaulin coverings were
cut away and beside each boat stood an
oil skinned figure. A burly officer walk
ed up the panic-stricken passengers be-
fore they could make a break for the
boats and calmly treasured them. The
steamer, he said. was all right. just
then a dark figure was seen running up
the ladder to the bridge where Capt
Munson of the Nacoochee was directing
the work of the searchlights and keeping
a hand on the reins of discipline. =
In moment the captain turned to
the rail and making trumpet with his
hands beloved down to the passengers
that an examination of the hold had
shown that there was absolutely no leak
ing, They were now simply standing by
to help the other vessel. The words of
the captain and the GOODNESS of the off
GERS and crew, who. with the boats N
readiness for a quick launching, now
peered eagerly ever the sides for sight
of the stranger Gained the newly awak-
ened men and women. Some of them
ran below for warmer wraps, but the
others braved the cold mist in then
scanty coverings to await word from the
other vessel
When the fishermen climbed aboard
and made known their identity and the
fact that no one was hurt beyonds a
minor bruise or two, all excitement
subsidized. AT nostime had Capt. Nun
son. or his men lost control of the sit
uati0n and the duty of making ready
to rescue those on the Nacoochee or to
stand by for the schooner's crew had
been performed With q quict smooth