Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1912-07-10
1000 IMPERILED
IN CRASH At SEA
Steamer Commonwealth Rams
BattIeShip New Hampshire.
PANIC ALLAYED BY OFFICERS
None Killed or lnjured-Crew of War
Graft Shows Perfect Discipline
When Collision Drill" Signal
Is Sounded.

Newport, r. l., July Sin a dense
fog the steamer Commonwealth of the
Fall River line, while proceeding to
Fall River from New York with 1000
passengers on board, rammed the
United States battleship New Hamp-
shire, tearing away the latter's stern
and crushing her own bow.
The crash brought the passengers
Of the Commonwealth out Of their cab
ms in alarm, and there was momentary
danger of panic, but the officers al
layed the fears and the excitement
was soon over.
Captain Oliver of the New Hamp-
shire sent a wireless to the Common
wealth asking If assistance was need
ed. The crew of the New Hampshire
were at their boats ready for immedi-
ate rescue duty, but the Common
wealth replied: mo, thanks; no as
sistance required" and to the delight
of the passengers and the navy men
the Commonwealth proceeded back to
Newport under her own steam
S. o. S. Sig7aT Given.
The watertight compartments had
undoubtedly saved a terrible catastro-
phe on the Commonwealth. Wireless
Operator Whitehead of the Common
wealth used his head well, as the big
steamer struck the battleship, by send
ing out the s. o. S. distress signal,
which was picked up by the battle
ships Florida, Louisiana, Kansas and
Iowa, twenty destroyers, the cruisers
Panther, San Francisco, Montgomery
and other warships and the torpedo
station, all of which we're ready in 2
moment to rush to the assistance of
the Commonwealth passengers.
The happiest chapter of the accident
is that not life was lost nor was
anyone injured
A special train took the east-bound
passengers to Fall River and Boston.
The New Hampshire was anchored
in her proper position of the training
station, and fog bell signals were
sounded regularly on the battleship
during the night Lieut.. Harry Camp
bell, officer of the deck, soon after
daylight suddenly caught a glimpse of
the Commonwealth coming bow on to-
wards the New Hampshire's stern.
Prepare for Crash.
Realizing that a collision was imnf-
nent, Lieut. Campbell quickly sounded
the collision drill" signal, the bulk
head doors on the battleship closing
simultaneously with the signal. The
doors had barely swung to when the
big liner hit the battleship with a re-
sounding crash. The collision signal
had reused the entire crew and Off
GERS, and all hands were bounding on
deck in scant attire as the giant four
decker met the battleship. Every man
took his position instantly and all Off
GERS were at their station in less than
a half minute after the collision. The
discipline was perfect.
Lifeboats Were Quickly Manned.
Quickly the lifeboats and launches
were manned and all stood ready.
But Captain Oliver of the New Hamp-
shire first used the wireless to the
Commonwealth, and on being assured
that help was not needed, the boats
were stored and an investigation of
the damage done was begun.
The New Hampshire will go at once
to the Brooklyn navy yard for repairs.
It is estimated that it will require two
months to make her seaworthy again.
The Commonwealth will be laid up
some time, it is thought, for repairs.
Two Other Ships Collide.
At about the same hour that the
liner Commonwealth ramnled the bat
tleship New Hampshire. the steam
ships Bunker Hill and the Massachu-
sets, both of the Metropolitan Steam
ship company's line, came into COLI
sion at the entrance to the sound
Nobody was injured, but there was
great excitement among the 200 pas
sengers on board the Massachusetts
for time.
Captain Colberth and his crew
quickly restored order and assured the
passengers that there was no dan
ger.
A similar scene was enacted aboard
the Bunker Hill, although the Bunker
Hill was seriously damaged. Both
boats proceeded on their way.