The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1914-06-16
STEAMERS CRASH
American liner New York Struck by
Pretoria-Dangpr for Neither.

Wireless, via .Siasconsett, Mass0, June
13.-With neither steamer seriously
damaged as a result Of crash at sea
east of the Nantucket ightship early
today the American liner New York,
for New York, and the Pretoria Of the
Hamburg-American line, enroute to
Hamburg, were proceeding tonight to
their destinations.
The precautions taken to slow both
vessels down in a dense fog prevail
ing averted a possible disaster.
After learning the New York was
little the worse for the accident, the
Pretoria sent a wireless message to
the American liner informing her that
the Pretoria was in no danger. On
board the New York tonight every
thing had resumed the normal routine
again.
Statements Of various witnesses
tend to show that the Pretoria either
hit the New York at an obtuse angle
,or in attempting to cross her bows
struck her at a right angle. The
German boat smashed the shelter
deck railing of the New York and
many of her own port holes were
crushed in.
There was no panic and little ex-
citement on the New York. 1t SEEM
ed, however, to those on the New
York that there was a considerable
commotion aboard the Pretoria.
While the New York, west
bound was motionless in heavy
fog 400 miles east of Ambrose light
ship early today, the Hamburg-Amer-
Ican line Pretoria, bound east, ran
into her and ripped hole II feet
high and 80 feet long in her port side.
The hole is flush with the Main
deck and is Is feet above the walS
line. So great was the force Of the
collision t1at the Pretoria's anchor
was torn from her bow and left hang
ing inside the gap that had been torn
in theNew York Practically all the
passengers on both ships were asleep.
Immediately after the collision the
engines of both ships were ordered
full speed astern and passengers came
hurrying to the decks The passengers
OF the New York were able to reach
over and touch the bow of the Pre-
toria as she pulled away from her
dangerous position. There was no
panic. Capt Roberts and Chief Of
.fcer Turner were both on the bridge
at the time of the collision They re-
assured the frightened passengers,
many cf whom hurried to the star
board side of the ship, anticipating a
list to port. Members Of t1e crew also
went amo2g the passengers and urged
them to be calm.
Upon the orders Of Capt. Roberts
the bulkheads of the New York were
closed at 12:52 o'clock this morning
because OF thv density of the fog.
This was about 10 minutes before the
collision. Daring the peri5d the Pre-
!ora replied constantly to fog sirens
blown by the New York.
Capt., Roberts blew two Long blasts
repeatedly for five miGutes prior to
the collision. These whistles indi-
Gated that the New York had stopped.
Suddenly there was a crash, succeeded I
by a sharp tearing sound as the steel
plates and woodwork of the New York
were shattered by tae Pretoria's sharp
bow,
fortunately the watch which occu-
pied @he. quarters behind that part of
the saiD which was crushed in was
on duty III tae s5oke1old Had the
collision occurred while this Watch
.z2s off duty 8 number Of lives proba-
.5.v would nave been lost. The Per-
t9ria was less damaged by Fae COZ
Hsion Than the New York Several Of
the plates al her bow were sprung and
twisted
After the passengers had been as
sured thai they were in no danger
they began to laugh and joke over the
queer costumes in which some Of the
travellers appeared on deck. The pas
sengers refused to return to their
cabins until daylight.
After it was determined that no Sc
rious damage mad been done to either
Of the ships they proceeded on their