Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-03
STEAMERS IN CRASH
OFF THE WAR COLLEGE
Newport News, Disabled, Blown
Against Northumberland,
Crushing Port Side.

A combination Of low water. ice gorged
at the forks Of the Washington and
Georgetown channels and heavy north
west gale and a steamers broken steer
ing gear were responsible for damage
done when the Norfolk and Washington
line steamer Newport News. Capt Mil
burn, last night drifted down upon the
Maryland, Delaware and Virginia railroad
line steamer Northumberland. Capt. Smith.
in the Washington channel off the War
College, and crushed In a considerable
portion of one side Of the Northumber-
land.
The Newport News had her stern, about
the saloon and hurricane decks some
what damaged, but not seriously.
The heavy northerly gale yesterday
caused .ow water in the river. and. IN
leaving her dock at 6:45 PM. hound for
Norfolk, the steamer Newport News
struck shoal spot IN the harbor ana her
steering gear was disabled, forcing ner 10
stop her engines.
She was lying crosswise the harbor
when the Northumberland, which had just
been freed from the ICE at the forks
of the channel where she had been heio
since early In the afternoon. started to
pass her. Capt Smith Of the Northum-
berland, it Is stated, blew signals to pass
the Newport News and capt M1ipurn
worked his steamer ahead. the wind took
part in the accident at this point, and
before the propeller wheel of the New
port News could take effect on the heavy
steamer the gale blew the big boat down
upon the Northumberland.
The stern Of the News caught the other
boat about twenty feet aft Of the for
ward gangway on the port side and rub
bling along it crushed it in for fifty
or sixty feet, from main to hurricane
deck.
No One in Wrecked Staterooms.
The heavy steel waist Of the Northum-
berland was laid perfectly fat on deck
and two or three staterooms we're crush
ed in. Fortunately no one was in the
rooms or there might have been lives lost.
AS it was no one was hurt. and accord
ing to reports there was nothing ap-
preaching a panic on either steamer, the
passengers aboard realizing that all
Danger was over as soon as the steamers
drifled apart.
The machinery of the Northumberland
was not disabled by the accident and
she was able to come up to her wharf at
the foot Of It'll street, where she landed
her passengers and freight.
Soon after the accident D. ]. Callahan,
general manager OF the Norfolk ana
" ashington line. went to the Newport
News on the District tug Firenghter, and
an effort was made to tow the steamer
to her dock. This was found impossible
In the face Of the heavy gale and as no
other tugs large enough to be OF assist
ance to the Newport News could be Sc
cured she was forced to remain at anchor
in the harbor overnight. Manager Gala
han offered to take any OF the passengers
ashore that wished to land, but only six
of the fifty or more aboard look ad-
vantage Of the offer and were brought to
the wharf and later took trains for their
destination.
AS soon as it was ascertained that the
broken steering gear of the Newport
News would prevent her leaving here I'M
til after repairs couid be made, which
steamer Southland was gotten in readi-
ness for sci vice and left here about III
am, today with the passengers and
freight from the Newport News. She VIII
reach Norfolk in time to take up the
regular trip from that city tonight. Capt.
Milburn and the crew of the Newport
News were transferred to the Southland,
and there will be no int; ruptton in the
service between this city and Norfolk.
To Baltimore for Repairs.
The Northumberland. which is lying at
her dock foot Of 7th street southwest with
canvas over the big hole in her side. will
probably be taken to Baltimore for re-
pairs. This morning 1t was stated that
were waiting for the coming over from
Baltimo.e OF the chief engineer of the
line. and on his arrival it will be deter
mined when the northumberland Will
start for her home port
The accident will cause the withdrawal
from service Of the Northumberland for
a week or more and will probably inter-
fere with the running of steamers be-
tween this city and Baltimore until after
the ice is out of the river.
The officers of both steamers and the
officials Of the Norfolk and Washington
Steamboat Company declined to MAKE
any statement regarding the accident.
but both Capt. Milburn and Capt Smith
will make official reports to the United
States steamboat inspectors at Baltimore,
giving their versions Of 1t, and it is
stated that the inspectors will probably
order an investigation to Ak the RESPONSE
bility, II, in their opinion. the accident
| could have been avoided.
To get the steamer Newport News to
her dock this morning the services of the
! naval tugs Tecumseh and Choctaw were
secured and she was brought back to the
Norfolk and Washington line pier about
8 o'clock. AS there was no docking room
at the Norfolk line wharf until after the
| Southland left, the Northland. due here
| from Norfolk this morning, was held at
| Alexandria for about three hours.