The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-01
CARELESSNESS OF THE
NANTUCKET CAPTAIN
CAUSEDS SHIP DISASTER
GRAPHIC STORY OF
COLLISION TOLD BY
CAPTAIN JOHNSON
CAPT. e. E. JOHNSON

proceedings filed against the Nam
tucket. tells the story of the collision.
He sayss
''At about 11:25 o'clock, approxi-
mately, ships time fog signal of
one blast of whistle from steamer
was heard. 1t seemed to be about
three points on the starboard bow.
~ E. u n, compass course. Where
upon. the engines of the Monroe were
Immediately stopped and remained
stopped for about minute, when a
bright light was observed about four
points on the starboard bow. but on
account of the fog it was impossible
to tell at what distance.
"As soon as this light was observed
two whistles We're blown by the Mon
roe and her wheel was put hard
astarboard, which was the best thing
under the circumstances that could be
done to avoid a collision, and the en-
gines were put full speed ahead. With
the speed of the Nantucket, it was inn
possible, however. to avoid colli-
sion and the Nantucket, coming on
with apparently undiminished speed,
struck the Monroe on her starboard
side, at the forward overall gangway,
Just forward of the pilot house. the
collision taking place in less than a
minute after the Nantuckets light was
first observed A large hole was torn
in the side of the Monroe, below the
water line. The collision took place
approximately S2 miles north of Cape
Charles lightship.
Began to Fill
The Monroe Immediately began to
fill and seeing that she was in immi-
nent danger of sinking, orders We're
given to arouse all the passengers and
Gle ar away the lifeboats. In the mean
time the Nantucket had swung around
the stern of the Monroe and was lying
off about a quarter of a mile. The
Monroe proceeded to fill rapidly and
about four minutes later the collision
was on her beam ends.
One OF the lfeboats the star
board side was smashed in the col
lision and another was swamped
while being launched. The remaining
lifeboats on the starboard side were
gotten away as quickly as possible.
it being impossible, on account of the
heavy list to starboard, to launch the
portside lifeboats. Not more than 10
minutes after the collision the Monroe
foundered in about 10 fathoms of wa
ter. going down in approximately the
s line place at which collision oc
urred.
Many Saved
Many of the Monroe's crew and pas
sengers We're saved in her own boats
and others were picked up by boats
from the Nantucket, which was stand
ing by, and rendered all aid possible
under the conditions Nineteen pas
sengers were lost and 80 of the crew
we're iose.;
Captain johnson charges that by
reason of the collision he has suffered
damages in the total loss OF the
steamer Monroe. with her stores and
munitions, her cargo and freight, and
the effects of the master and mariners
aboard. which were lost, as we'll as
the baggage and personal effects OF
the passengers, which were lost, and
on account of the expenses arising
out of the collision in a sum which
he claims will amount to upward of
$1,000, 900.
The libellant further alleges that the
collision was in no way caused by the
fault or negligence of those ON board.
or in charge of the steamer Monroe,
but was due solely to carelessness.
reglissnce and faulty navigation of
thoseI on board, and in charge of, the
steamer Nantucket"
Captain Johnson sums up his charges
against the Nantucket as follows:
"In not having competent master
and crew: in failing to give the sig
nails required by law of a vessel un-
der way in a fog; in proceeding at a
high rate of speed in foggy weather;
in not stopping her engines when she
heard the fog whistles from Monroe;
in failing to keep and maintain prop
er and efficient lookout; in making
absolutely no efforts to avoid the col
iision, but instead coming on with un-
diminished speed after she had heard
the signals from the Monroe: in that
the Nantucket was carelessly and neg
ligently navigated"