The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-25
SHIP TURNS OVER
Crack American Liner st. Paul
Turns Turtle.
Military Authorities Take
Charge of Situation.

An Atlantic Port, April 25.-The
American line steamship st. Paul
overturned while being warped
around her pier here today after
coming from a nearby dry dock. 1t
is believed that all persons on board,
between 500 and 500 workmen, es-
capped, but the vessel lies two-thirds
submerged with her bow on the bot
tom and her stern high in the air.
Whether the ST. Paul's seacocks
were left open or the ballast shifted
remains to be determined.
At least six men were drowned and
a number of others are missing, ac
cording to some of the workmen
Five of the dead were laborers and
noe was a member of the ships crew.
Police and fire boats prevented the
approach of all other craft. 1t was
reported that soon after the st. Paul
| overturned fire broke out in an un-
submerged part of the vessel, which
the fire boats fought and .sextin-
| suished.
The st. Paul earlier had come from
dry dock. The vessel is lying on her
cocks were left open. The military
authorities have taken charge of the
situation.
Did Not Sink.
The st. Paul did not sink. She lies
overturned with her decks partly
| dWdSH, out WIFI ner. mdSLS lying across
i the roof of the pier shed. Ropes aided
in holding her afloat. placed there by
/ her workmen, some of whom jumped
into the water in escaping. There
were between 500 and 500 laborers
aboard at the time she overturned.
| The ST Paul. one of the crack
steamships of the American line reg
| listers 1852 tons gross. For many
years she has been in transatlantic
service and during the war has taken
to Europe and brought back many
noted passengers.
Workers Were Imprisoned.
Many workmen appear to have
been imprisoned in the hold of the
| St Paul, observers from the tops of
| buildings overlooking the pier saw
rescuers cutting holes in the part of
the hull above water, letting down
ladders and bringing up the men who
had been imprisoned.
! Soldiers on Guard.
| Soldiers were placed on guard on
| and around the pier Immediately after
the accident happened 1t Was learned
that the ship had been brought
along side the pier. She listed sud-
| denly to port. MastS and tunnels came
in contact with the roof of the pier
shed, this apparently preventing her
from turning over entirely.
| While the workmen on board were
! Jumping into the water or climbing to
lIle pier OlntT ldDO1eTS hurried 10 Ine
| roof and endeavored to make fast the
masts and tunnels. These snapped
one at a time, however, and the bow
of the vessel settled on the bottom
leaving only about $50 . 200 feet OF
| the after part of the ship above the
| surface.
The military authorities revoked
all zone passes admittance to the
pier. Agents of the department OF
justice and other government bureaus
began an investigation. Police reserves
were called and approaches to the
dock were blocked.
Ambulances Rushed to scene
Passengers on a passing vessel re-
ported they could see men at work
on the exposed part of the hull, cut
ting holes thru the side with ga.
flame torches.
Ambulances also were summoned
and four men found to be injured
were attended by the surgeons. Two
We're detectives and two were laborer.
hurt while making their escape, the
hands of two of the men having beer
lacerated while sliding down ropes
into the water
Persons who saw the st. Paul being
warped in said she had a decided lis
at the time, indicating that the in
rush of water or shifting of ballast
whatever the cause, began some timt
before she reached the pier.