New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-03-01
1898 Returning Troops
Aboard as Liner Cuts
Lord Dufferin in Two
One of Grew Lost:
Patrol Rescues As
]. P. Morgan, Wife and
Son Among Notables in
Record Run From Brest

The CInard liner Aquitania, with
5.s93 returning troops aboard and
many distinguished passengers. cut the
stern off the Canadian Steamship Lord
Dufferin just southwest of Governors
Island yesterday afternoon. The
freighter sank a few minutes later in
six fathoms.
The accident cost the life of George
Eperus, forty years old, a fireman or
the Lord Duferin, whose home was at
10 James Street, this city. 1t marred
the finish of trip in which the
Aquitania had set new speed record
for transport runs between Brest and
New York.
approximately eighteen feet of the
Lord Dufferin's stern was severed from
the rest of the vessel and she sank
rapidly. Most of the crew Of forty
four and the two customs officers who
we're on board jumped into the water.
Lifelines and preservers were thrown
to them from the deck of the pohce
steamer Patrol, which, under Captain
-0oi"co " diaifoSh, PSIluINicu eScSiionl
rescue work.
Strong Tide Running
Captain J. 7. W. Charles, commander
Of the Aquitania, declined to make any
statement las! night. 1t is known,
however, that strong ebb tide was
ing at the time, about 3 o'clock,
mat the transport Rochambeau
not far on the other side of the
uitania.
The Aquitania's bow swung az she
approached the Lord Dufern, at an
chor near the fairway, and the acci-
dent happened so quickly and quietly
mat few on the Aquitania knew it un-
Il told. There was no wind and a
light haze.
AT the time OF the collision Richard
Ruger and Joseph Cassidy, of the Gus
TOMS Intelligence Service. we're muster
ing the crew Of the Lord Dufferin in
me oncers' mess, preparatory to the
saip'a intended departure last night.
The Aquitania stood by until it was
eF4oeh, rescuers were plentiful and
tnen proceeded TO her dock. as the
ctowoed channel was not q comfort
aDle position for so large O. vessel.
me steamer Correction, commanded
oy captain Parkinson, aided in pick
,ng up the crew of the Lord Dufferin,
VINO were landed at the Battery An
ambulance from the Broad Street hos
piIal was waiting and DR.. Max Levine
pronounced Eperus dead. None Of the
rescued crew needed med lcal atten-
tlon.
horgaRs Among Passengers
Inc Aquitania brought back a num-
per OF distinguished persons, among
snem Lord and Lady Reading and
'heir party and Mr.. and Mrs. J.. Pier
pont Morgan, with their son, Lieutcn-
ant Junius S. Morgan.
MIR. Morgan SAID he had gone to Eu-
rope for vacation and that he hadn't
Kept in touch with business affairs
.eeniy enough TO care to comment.
asked II there were rot prospects of
an imminent and enormous increase in
export trade for America, he said:
You mast remember that the folks
ever there haven't got very much
money with which TO buy just now"
brigadier General James Mitchell.
commander If the American air forces
-. "a france, WIS the ranking officer on
s Aquifanla, whose troops consisted
ehureiy OF casual officers and negro
xoioicfs. General Mitchell was on his
"ay 70 rcport officially at Washington
ia ia nec!lncd to make any statement
'' 'ei' 'a.t night for the capital.
Plying Dog Aboard
~. ""s Pt the favoritc passengers on
"e A9uitania was Skipper, bit of
ro..YN esrrier, who accompanied his
r~se' resS. f'ying Lieutenant Norman
uoyax "n twenty five raids from
Tesr,a - /eebruggce. Lieutenant
t.1'hef consends that Skipper has
naa more airriane experience than nv
'*a.s ~. caIine, Allied or German.
@sneh ne Aquitania struck the Lord
NO.. IN, ~ inc negro troops on the trans-
sele were ranged on the dccka waving
na az. bnoOting 10 the official wclcoroers'
m occupied the police sfcaroer
u,vFef Whalen, the Mayors gecretary:
snd ~ y Lya's lltt Hoyt, Mrs. Gurncy Mum
ILL., a'''" LDssputy Police Commissonef
~ 81 IN =; VCrady we're among thoAe
~ "s 1aJorS Committee Of Welcome
~. ~ "a" the accident. Lord Reading
~ IN his stateroon. taking 10 =
fsy1p o' Newspaper men and did not
f.DN 81 tne collision until the stricken
''s'xhter wag we'll aatern.
WigWags for Md
s,s ~ Hooa ~ the Lord Duncrin wsa
l.aes l.s FirH Mate William Talloch
spsa e,sp' snso Inc rigging Of the fore
ht.a@ ~ the vrnzei settled beneath
~ {. ~, ne ~ig~wagHed constantly for halp
= se soe Patfol and the tngDoats whsch
:. tontfhued an 7,agc gcven