The Topeka state journal., 1911-09-20
OLYMPIC is. HIT.
Largest Passenger Vessel AflOat
Damaged in a Collision.
The Steamer Is Rammed by a
British Cruiser.
PASSENGERS ARE SAFE
Big Hole Is Made in Her Star
board Quarter.
thrush of Water Stopped by
Prompt Action of Crew.
PASSENGERS ARE SAFE

Southampton, Sept. 20.-The Olym-
pic, the proudest of the White Star
| company'S transatlantic liners and
the biggest passenger vessel afloat, re-
turned to this port this afternoon four
hours after she had sailed for New
York with a hole in her starboard
quarter, but with her more than two
thousand passengers unharmed. The
passengers had an exciting story to
tell of a collision with the British
cruiser Hawke off the Isle of Wight.
The steamer took considerable wat
er and it was at first thought it would
be necessary to beach her and Cap
tain Smith made for a mud bank In
the CoWes roadstead. The prompt
closing of the collision doors, how
ever, effectually stopped the inrush of
the sea and her commander, convinc-
ed that there was no immediate dan
ger, brought his vessel about and
headed for southampton. Watchers
at Cowes saw the steamer moving to-
ward the shore, then stopped and, be-
lieving that she had been beached, sent
out the report to this effect. Later
when she drew away, it was supposed
that the liner had been floated with
out assistance.
The Olympic was off Osborne bay
on the north coast of the Isle of
Wight enrOute for Cherbourg, her
first stop on the way to Queenstown
and New York when the accident oc-
Cured An eye witness of the COLI
sion said later that the Hawke was
undergoing steam trials following ex-
tensive repairs at Portsm mouth and
was travelling at great speed when she
overlook the Olympic.
The cruiser was passing the liner to
Starboard when suddenly the former
drew in and crashed into the steamers
quarter about 20 feet from the stern
This witness thought 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 badly
damaged bow.
The OIypmic, as she drew away from
the cruiser, exhibited an ugly hole into
which great quantities of water pour
ed. Captain Smith ordered the col
lision doors closed and turned his yes
sci towards the beach. At the same
time he signalIed for assistance to
Portsmouth and Cowes, both of which
ports sent tugs, but their aid was not
required A quick examination show
ed the Olympic was still seaworthy and
she was brought about and steamed
slowly for this port. The Hawke was
seen also to make port without aid.
There was considerable excitement
but no panic on board the liner, the
passengers of which were quickly re-
was somewhat thick and there was
rain squall at the time of the accident
but the haze was not Suff1c1ent TO OBJ
scure either vessel from the other.
Had Big Passenger List.
Cowes, Sept. 20.-The Olympic, the
biggest passenger carrying vessel in
service, was in collision with the Brit
ish protected cruiser Hawke near Os-
borne bay, on the north side of the Isle
of Wight, this afternoon.
Captain Smith Immediately after the
accident signalled for assistance to
Portsmouth from where tugs were sent
promptly to the scene. At the same
time assurance was given that the
passengers were in no danger. The
Hawke was damaged, but less serious
", and anchored close by the steamer
Southampton. The Hawke then started
southwark under her own steam. The
cruisers bows were crumpled by the
impact and her plates torn out the wa
ter line. The Olympic sailed from
Southampton at 11:25 o'clock bound for
New York by way of Cherbourg and
Queenstown
She sailed with the largest list of
first class passengers that ever started
across the Atlantic in one ship. The
first cabin passengers numbered 742, "A
more than her best previous record.
Among them were between 20 and 80
American miIlionaires and something
like $25O,000 had been paid in passage
money.
All told there were nearly 5000 per-
sons on board.
In the collision the Olympic was
struck on the starboard quarter and a
large hole was stove in. When the
vessels separated after the impact it
was seen the Olympic was crippled and
Captain Smith ordered her beached.