Evening journal., 1912-12-26
MrnrnA1 rxr
WENiUN EN
PORT AFTER
COLLISION
PASSENGERS Are Hurled About
Decks When Liner Hits
tICeanO in the Bay
CAUSE OF CRASH
NOT YET DETERMINED

when the American Line steamship
Merton, which collided with the
freight steamship Oceano In the
Delaware Bay about o'clock Christ
mas eve. steamed slowly to its dock
at Washington avenue
Just how the accident. which placed
the lives of several hundred persons
in jeopardy, took place is not definite
~ known officials OF the American
Line discussed the affair with ex-
treme reluctance yesterday refusing
TO allow any members Of the MeriOn's
crew to be interviewed Permission
TO visit the boat after she locked was
peremptorily refused TO every one
who sought f. including relatives OF
the passengers.
"A misunderstanding Of lights" was
the only explanation of the col
llision offered by the steamship COM
pany The FIVE words constituted
practically the only statement OIL
cially given out
On the other hand, officers of the
Oceano, declaring that the two great
vessels crashed together because the
Merton pilot disregarded recklessly
ithe laws Of the sea and drove the
liner directly across the Oceano's
lbows. welcomed reporters. told all
lthey knew OF the affair and led hun
dreds Of persons over the ship. point
dng out the damage she had sustained
number of the 1876 passengers. %
Rteerage and 1l3 cabin remained
aboard the Merton yesterday at the
expense of the company.
Pale-faced from their nights vigil
scores of the passengers left the YES
sell Some Of these, thoroughly frigh-
tened by the scenes of the long night.
went directly to their homes, giving
up all thought Of a crossing. others.
their transportation money refunded,
left for New York TO take passage on
pther steamships from that-city.
Stories Of Crash.
The story of the crash in the dark
ness was told by some of these pas
sengers. Women told with shudders
of the nerve-racking experience. They
recounted how at q time when all was
jollity in the spacious dining cabin OF
the big craft, there came crash
which jolted every bit of crockery
from the table and nearly pitched the
diners from their seats: how women
tainted and children cried with fear.
They told. Also how the vessel. fol-
lowing the collision, was turned into
ehoal water TO prevent her sinking
end lay at an angle Of 40 degrees all
night while the relief boats. sent in
answer to the wireless S. o. S. calls.
made the Merton ready for the slow
trip back TO this city.
According to number of the pas
sengers interviewed. the crash came
without a warming For several min
utes silence pervaded the ship Those
persons who had been scattered over
the floor arose with those from their
beds and chairs and. as If with the
same impulse. rushed for the decks.
Persons in the staterooms. partly
dressed. were filled with fear. and
confusion reigned.
When the deck was reached the
course of the liner had been altered
and she pushed her nose into the mud
OF the shoal with another shock The
port side Of the vessel was pushed
high out Of the water and the star
hoard side sunk a corresponding dis
4. tance. which made the whole boat
Dist heavily TO starhoard.
Cooler heads among the passengers
assisted the officers and after a hall
hour order prevailed But the tension
WAS enough to make several Of the
women i'll.
Oceano's Row Crushed.
Captain James Mathies. OF the
Ocoano, says that as soon as he saw
the Merton cut across his bow and
that a collision was inevitable he
signaled the engine for fun speed
astern. The propeller blades were
soon spinning in a brave effort {.
counteract the effect OF the collision
The bow OF the stanch freightei
was crushed in as though Il were
cardboard as she struck the Merton
on the starboard side about midships
The starhoard anchor of the
Oceano was driven into the stem OF
the vessel. rending and tearing
everything in its path and narrowl,
escaping crushing several Chimes
fremen asleep in the forecastle.
The rail of the Merton was carrie.
away for a distance of so feet, sew
eral lifeboats were crushed to match
wood. and it is believed that she i
badly damaged below the water line
Water In large quantities poure'
into both vessels. After a hasty con
sultation with the pilot who had IN
shin in charge. Captain Hill decidel
TO take no further risk. and In thre
minutes had swung his vessel int
Cross Lodge Shoal and had run he
aground.
The wireless operators. L. A. Do
and. S. b. Lebbel. we're instructed q
send out the call for assistance, IS
o. 81 was soon sputtering and spark
ling out into the crisp air OF Oh
night from the vessels powerfu
wireless apparatus. The station a
pc Hcnlopen was the first 10 repl,
rhey we're told of the .misf2p an
apDriscd the lifesavers at the Lewei
DEL lifesaving station of the pligf
Of the vessel by telephone.
Despite the fact that they we're
miles away from the scene, the
launched their powerboat. and wit
full speed ahead started 10 the YES
sells aid. The wireless operator ;
the Philadelphia Navy Yard pickle
up the call. and the commercial ST
lions In the city got them. The of
Gals Of the company were commul
icated with and tugs were quick
dispatched TO the scene. The pill
boat Philadelphia was sent fro
Iewes to render help.
The ore laden vessel. Captain III
SAYS. did not stop following n
crash and continued up the river
her pier at the foot OF Bambridl
street
This Captain Mathies stoutly d
mics. saying that he remained at Il
side OF the passenger boat until