The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-07-08
RAMMED
BY FALL RIVER BOAT
steamer Commonwealth Failed
to Soc the New Hamp-
shire i'm Fog.
LOO IN PERIL AT DAWN
Big Fighter Is Badly Damaged
From Prov Of
Liner.

OF early dawn in management Bay TO-
day the Fall River Line steamship Com
monwealth ran head on into the United
States ba,tleship New Hampshire with
a crash that threw the passengers from
their bunks and every jack tar from his
hammock
The Commonwealth was just pulling
out for Fall River under Capt. W. r.
Appleby. and the New Hampshire, in
charge Of Capt. James T. Oliver. was
lying at anchor
The New Hampshire was so seriously
damaged that no attempt will be made
to move her to a navy yard until thor
ourh examination has been made Of her
as she lies at anchor If she is found sea-
worthy she will be taken to the Boston
Navy Yard for repairs. Otherwise she
will be temporarily patched up until
she can he taken to dry dock.
A court Of inquiry is now in progress
on board the New Hampshire under the
direction Of Capt. James II. Oliver. her
commanding officer.
Luckily there were no casualties on
either boat. The accident occurring.
as it did. before 43O. there were not many
moving around; and it so happened that
the boats struck at points where there
were no sleeping quarters.
The steel and wooden hull crumpled
up like paper. despite the fact that the
Commonwealth captain reversed her
paddle wheels.
There was one Of the thickest fogs
that have envelopcd the bay in long
while. and this was the cause Of the acci-
dent. The New Hampshire. which ar
rived here late Saturday afternoon. was
at anchor in her prescribed position
abreast of the naval training station,
500 yards from the battleship Kansas and
1000 yards from the Louisiana.
The New Hampshire was the closest
inshore and therefore the nearest to the
path followed by tho Commonwealth
on her way from this city TO Fall River.
Then the Commonwealth backed away
after the impact she carried an imprint
OF the words New Hampshire" on her
port bow. while tha gray hull Of the battle
ship bore numerous white paint marks
from the liner.
Wireless Operator Whitehead Of the
liner notified tho naval torpedo station
here of the accident Immediately. This
message was picked up by the other
battleships in the bay and preparations
were made to offer assistance. This.
however. was not needed, and an offer
from the New Hampshire was declined
by the Commonwealth with thanks.
The Commonwealth bow was badly
stove in. The steamship struck the
battleship fair and square bow on. The
result was the tearing Of hole several
feet in length in the wooden work on
the starboard side; the guard rail was
a list to starboard.
The more serious damage. however.
was in the steel hull. The bow fender
had a perceptible turn in it and down
close to the water line. and extending
some distance below the water the steel
plates were crumpled up and pushed
astern few feet the Commonwealth
riding upon the thick armor belt Of the
bait leship.
The Commonwealth which had a pas
sengcr list OF 100 and u heavy cargo,
left the dock here al 4:i3 for Fall River :.
A the vessel passed the Naval Training
Station the New Hampshire doomed up
out OF the fog.
The fog was 80 thick that the Fall
River liner was right on top of the battle
ship almost before she was discerned
through the mist The engines were
reversed, but before the paddlewhecls
could get a purchase on the water to back
away the crash came, Ths Common
wealth shook for an instant and then
backed away.
The collision and the accompanying
noise. however. aroused abouv every
body; but there was little excitement
aboard Some Of the men and women
passengers came out of their s'a,erooms
in their nishtclothes TO learn the source
OF the trouble. and they were told by
ofi!cerp. thai there was no danger. Some
wen. back 10 bed while others remained
up to see what was going on.
An examination OF the Commonwealth
showed that only one compartment below
the watcrlune had been opened, This
was the chain locker on the statboard
side and one Of the mud hooks was pulled
awav.
uc wac W Wv
of Capt. Appleby not TO risk continuing
on to Fall River with the passengers
and the steamer returned here. The
passengers. soon after The arrival here
for the second time. were sent to their
destination by train. Freight was also
transferred and the Commonwealth h's
place on the line will be taken by the
Providence.
The stern Of the New Hampshire If
badly torn and twisted.
The New Hampshire's stern was cut
above the protective deck; tho Common
wealth's stem passing through the after
compartment of gun and berth decks
The captains after cabin and the blower
room beneath II were completely wrecked
and the starbCerd after armOr plate was
driven in about three inches toward the
centre Of the snip.
| In tho after compartments the light
bulkheads were crushed and torn from
the angle iron and tho deck beams were
torn from the sides Of the ship as far ~
/ the after hatchway.
Shortly after the accident divers were
sent down to examine the hull and no
damage was found to the propeller shafts
or rudder, The steering gear was no.
damaged.
! rVho oraxv ,g th., Now HamDch;ra bo -,