New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-08
FALL RIVER LINER RAMS
THE NEW HAMPSHIRE
The Commonwealth, from New
York, with 1000 Passengers,
Hits BattIeShip Off Newport.
BOTH VESSELS DAMAGED
Crashing of Steel and Woodwork
in Dense Fog Sends Men,
Women and Children
Scrambling to Decks.

Newport, r. l., July while cropping
its way through a dense fog in Nara
gansett Bay early to-day the Fall River
Line steamer Commonwealth rammed
the United States battleship New Hamp-
shire near the Newport naval training
station. Both ships sustained consider
able damage, but no person was injured
After unloading her passengers the
Commonwealth proceeded tonight TO
New York, where she will go into dry
dock for repairs. The steamer Provi-
dence will take her place on the regular
run. The New Hampshire has rot yet
received orders where TO proceed to have
her damage repaired.
The Commonwealth struck the New
Hampshire astern and nearly end on.
The accident occurred at 4:25 o'clock.
The Commonwealth was following its
usual course on its trip from New York
to Fall River when it crashed into the
New Hampshire which was lying five
hundred yards from the battlcship Kan
sas and one thousand yards from the
flagship Louisiana. of the second division
of the Atlantic fleet, to which it he
longs
Because of the heavy fog that pre-
vailed during the night, fog whistles
were sounded at intervals by the battle
ship. Before the New Hampshire was
discovered by the lookout the steamer
Commonwealth was almost upon it. The
pilot of the steamer was signalled To
divert the course, bur before the ship
could be turned aside the collision hap
pened.
PASSENGERS Thrown from 8erths.
There was a crash Of crumbling steel
and cracking woodwork The Common
wealth shook for a minute and then
backed away. Crockery was knocked
from the tables in the dining room Of
the steamer, the sleeping passengers
were badly shaken and several of them
were thrown from their berths.
Many of the one thousand passengers,
awakened by the impact, scrambled for
the decks to ascertain the nature Of the
trouble. Captain William p. Appleby
and officers and members of the crew
went to various parts OF the steamer,
informing the men, women and children
that there was no danger and request
ing them to keep calm and not 10 crowd
the decks. 1t was daylight, and the
passengers. treasured when they saw no
signs of serious accident caused no
disorder.
on the New Hampshire the crew i'm
mediately made ready for collision drill.
The marines fell in with arms and per
feet order prevailed. Captain James II.
Oliver ordered the divers to make an
examination of the battleship to discover
the extent of the damage.
The Commemorative bow was stove
in where it ranmed the battleship. \
hole several feet long was ripped in the
woodwork On the steamers starboard
side, its guard rail was torn and its steel
hull damaged.
Cut the Batteshp's Stern.
The New Hampshires stern was cur
about the protective deck and stem. The
after compartment was crushed through.
the gun and berth decks were smashed
and the captains after cabin and the
boiler room beneath were damaged. The
divers reported no damage to the battle
ships propeller, its rudder or engines.
The wireless operator on the Common
wealth sounded an $ S" call after the
crash and the message. received by tho
torpedo station at Newport, was SEM
broadcast 1t was found after an ex-
animation Of the steam and the battle
ship that assistance was not needed.
Close by the two ships at the time OF
the collision were the Florida and the
Louisiana. together with several scout
cruisers and torpedo boat destroyers Of
the Atlantic first and second feet di-
visions, which were ready to lend assist
ance.
After the accident the Commonwealth
went into Newport Harbor, where the
passengers were landed and sent to Bos-
tor ON a special train.
Rear Admiral Aaron Ward and Rear
Admiral Cameron MGR Wmslow went
aboard the New Hampshire during the
day TO examine the damage.
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