Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-06-16
SINKING OF A STEAMER
Wakefield Strikes Submerged Pile at
! Matthias Point Yesterday ;.
and is Beached.

Word was received in this city
early today that the steamer Wake
field, Capt. Kelly, which left this port
early yesterday morning for lower
river landings, was sunk last night
at Matthias Point. Details concern
ing the accident could not be obtain
ed by Reardon and Crimes, agents
for the steamer in this city, this
morning, although it was positively
stated that no one was drowned or
injured.
THE tide has made abnormally high
during the past few days, owing to
the prevailing southeast wind, and
the Wakefield struck a submerged
pile at Matthias Point.
The leak which was started by the
| collision caused the captain to beach
the steamer as soon as possible. The
steamer Majestic, on her way up the
river. went to the assistance of the
stranded steamer and took off her
passengers. The steamer Gratitude
| also went to the aid of the Wakefield
It was first reported that the steamer
! struck a rock or log, and that the
accident occurred in Nomini Creek.
Details of the accident received
later in the day show that, as stated
above the accident was due to the
excessively high water in the Poto-
mac because of the continual rains
recently.
The high water covered number
| cf wooden piles placed a the end OF
the wharf.
The Wakefield stopped at Matthias
Point to discharge several passen-
| rers at 8 o'clock last night. The pilot
hen turned his vessel around and
.tarted out toward the river channel
% continue his voyage down the river.
A short distance out from the
wharf he headed down stream. In
! family the crew and passengers
rere Mortified by prolonged graf.
| ng sound and the sudden listing oil
| The Wakefield toward the starboard
side.
The pilot endeavored to back to-
ward the wharf, but the keel was
neld fast by the piling, which had
made a hole through the plates at
The bow.
Every available man was set to
| work at the pumps, while officers OF
the vessel were sent to Matthias
| Point to send kilograms for assls-,
| lance.
There was considerable excitement
| among the women and children on
BOARD the Wakefield, but their fears
we're soon quieted by the appearance
If the Majectic, which was coming
ap the river from Colonial Beach.
Noting the distress of the Wake
| lield, the captain of the MaJectlc
headed straight for Matthias Point,
arriving there before the upcreeping
waters had reached the lower deck
Of the wrecked vessel.
The passengers and crew of the
Wakefield were transferred to the
Majestic in a few minutes and with
| out mishap. Some of the freight and
mail was also, taken off by the Ma
jestic, which stood by the Wakefield
| Until the Gratitude arrived upon the
/ scene.
| So far as is known no one was IN
| jured and no property was lost.
/ The management of the company
announced today that as soon as the
high water subsidies enough to per-
NIT of salvage work, cranes and der
-icks from Newport News would be
sent to Matthias Point to raise the
Wakefield and repair the damage.
This morning the stern OF the
Wakefield. on WHICH fcorsiderablc
reight was loaded, wss completely
underwater, the smokestack amid
:h;p was submerged all Du. two feet
While the bow jutted up at an angle
IF forty-fve degrees. indicating that
The stern had settled on the bottom OF
the river.
The Wakefield left here yesterday
morning bound for Colonial Beach
and intermediate river landings.
Most of the passengers were resi-
tents Of the Maryland and Virginia
landings along the Potomac, while
n few were excursionists and vaea-
tiontists going to Colonial Beach for
pleasure.
The Wakefield was built at Will
Il III r. n