New-York tribune., 1917-07-31
Transport, Hit by
Coaster, Beached;
All Hands Saved
Passenger Ship Holds Bow
in Gaping Hole of Gov
ernment Vessel

An Atlantic Port, July 3O.-A United
States army transport lying at anchor
in the harbor here this afternoon was
rammed by an inbound coaster. All
those on board the transport escaped
injury.
The coaster crashed into the trans
port on the port quarter aft. Instead
of backing away, she crowded her bow
into the long, gaping hole just above
the transports water line, and in that
position stayed by the transport for a
mile and a half, until the latter was
beached on neighboring mud fats.
The coast liner carried 1S0 passen-
gers, including many women and chill
dren, who screamed when the accident
occurred, but they were quickly quieted.
Transport Lists Heavily
Immediately after the collision the
transport listed heavily, and was
thought to be in a sinking condition.
Large numbers of small boats and tugs
in the immediate vicinity rushed to
the assistance Of the transport and as
sisted in taking off those on board. A
number leaped across the narrow in
tervening space and boarded the coaster.
Excellent discipline prevailed at all
times. No lives were lost, and the only
;r;ur;es were few bruises and
strained muscles.
As soon as the transport was heached
and those on board had ueen trans
ferred the passenger vessel gacked
away and proceeded to ner pier under
her own steam. She suffered only slight
damages to her bow, insufficient TO ne
cessitate drydocking her for repairs.
Although the commander OF the pas
senger vessel refused to make any
statement to the newspapers, 1t was
learne from officials Of thhe company
owning the coaster that the accident
was due to Misunderstanding OF signals
in the engine room.
Officers and passengers alike were
unanimous in the opinion that the
blame should be placed on the incom-
ing vessel. In bright sunlight, with
out traces of fog, the liner was pass
ing in, full speed ahead, to land her
passengers.
Signalled Half Speed
Despite the maze of small traffic, in.
cluding several tugs with tows Of
barges and excursion boats, the liner
threaded her way successfully until
within one hundred yards Of the troop
ship. Here her captain, who was on
the bridge with the pilot, signalled half
speed, and then full speed estern.
Instead of stopping or slackening
her speed, the steamer continued di-
rectly on her course and rammed the
transport. The chief engineer testified
at an informal inquiry held immedi-
ately on the arrival Of the liner at her
dock that the bridge telegraph had not
recorded in the engine room, and that
he had received no signal whatever
from the bridge.
n was stated that an official inquiry
would be held Immediately by gov
eminent officials TO determine the
eyact cause Of the accident.
THE news Of the above incident was
handled by some of the afternoon papers OF
New York In a manner % disclose important
military information 10 the enemy. Among
them they gave every detail of interest. one
,uuplying what another had omitted. There
fore. all the facts are out However. the
failure cf soms papers 10 observe the censor
ship rules does not release others from the
..lf-imposed obligation 10 keep them. The
Tribune rsftfrsd the uAttsr 10 the Commit