South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-01-30

II n
the old Dominion line. sank within
20 minues. with a loss OF ~ lives.
Twenty--three passengers and "a
members of the crew were carried
down with the liner or drowned after
they had plunged into the sea IN tha
hope Of being picked up.
Thirty-one passengers and 50 mem
bers Of the crew. Sc in az. were res
cued by the steamer Nantucket, which
rammed the Monroe. Here are the
official figures on this, the latest sea
disaster.
Total, 1913.
Passengers on board. 81
Crew, 80.
Passengers saved. 81.
Sailors saved, 90.
Total. Sc.
Passengers lost, %.
sailors lost, "a.
Total, A..
The collision occurred early in the
morning while the two vessels We're
off Hog Island. GO miles from Norfolk.
A heavy fog smothered the lights OF
both vessels and IT is believed 10 have
been responsible for the disaster. The
passengers were sleeping and many
probably were caught in their cabins
and carried down before they realized
what had occurred.
Among the rescued passengers is
James O'Connell, vice president of the
American Federation OF Labor
Sea Was Calm.
That the loss of life. heavy as it
was, did not reach greater proper
tons was due 20 the fact that the sea
was calm. The Nantucket had a ten
foot hole torn in her bow extending
beneath the water line.
,r
from the water. Many of them We're
suffering badly from exposure when
taken on board tie Nantucket.
Capt Johnson vas found in the
water clutching a piece OF wreckagc.
He was nearly exhausted when picked
up. When the Monroe sank she dis
appeared completely with no veSuge
of her rigging remaining above the
water. Only scattered debris marked
the grave.
The Monroe, bound from Norfolk 10
New York, was feeling her way eau
tiously in the fog when the Nantucket
suddenly lOOmed up out of the mist
The sharp prov Of the Nantucket rip
ped the Old Dominion liner. opening
an enormous cash and rolling the yes
sci over on her beam ends.
Panic followed upon the Monroe.
Terrified men and women, aroused
from sleep, began scrambling 10 the
decks.
Immediately after the collision the
Nantuckets crew began lowering life
boats while the vessels searchlight
was turned upon the sinking Monroe.
SO thick was the fog that the powerful
ight cast only a murky glow and the
sailors in the boats could barely dis
tinguish floating objects in the water.
Many drowning persons were located
only by their cries.
Within a few minutes half a dozen
IifebOats from the Nantucket sur
rounded the Monroe. while the sea
men Of the latter ship were filling and
lowering their lifeboats as fast as the
panicky conditions on board would
permit. The horror OF the situation
was intensified by the gloomy curtain
Of fog through which the screams "t
terror, the shouts OF the officers and
the booming Of the fog sirens mingled.
After the Monroe had disappeared
the Nantucket cruised about in the
neighbOrhoou for other Survivors un-
til her own condition was so danger
Gus that she was headed for shore.
Wireless Co the Rescue.
Throughout narrowing minutes II
rescue. the wireless operator or the
Nantucket continued 10 lombard the
gloom with help calls. The L. >. rev
enue cutter OnOndaga living or \or-
folk. was among the first 10 respond
Around the wireless messages Was
possible 10 build a graphic story OF the
latest Of sea disasters and one OF the
worst which has occurred In American
waters I'm many years.
Both vessels were going in opposite
directions when the crash came and
both We're travelling az reduced speed
because or the thick weather But
the heavier bulk of the Nantucket
gave her sharp steel Prov powerful
impetus when she rammed the un-
protected side OF the Monroe.
The Monroe Cuivered from stem 20
stern and rolled drunkenly In the Wa
ter Without taking time 20 ascertain
his own damage. the captain of the
Nantucket began 10 direct the work
OF rescue. knowing that a crash Uf
such force must have been fatal 20
the other vessel His sailors worked
sturdily and heroically risking their
lives again and again.
Not less heroic was the work 80 the
seamen OF the Monroe They We're
hampered by the fright OF the Tas-
sengers and many Of the Wora pas
sengers tainted and had 20 be carried
into the boats. The passengers had
no time 10 dress or look 90 their bag
gage
The survivors in the first life ,oat to
reach the Nantucket We're too excited
end fear struck To give coherent
story.
Capt. Johnson WAS among the last
fo leave his shlp. when the Monroe
had settled until the water was wash
Ing her decks. ne called to the remain
ing seamep on board;
Every man for himself now. boya"
That was the final signal and au
leapad into the sea