Evening star., 1926-06-01
$50 ARE RESCUED
AS TANKER SINKS
BIG RIVER LINER
Goodness of Captain Saves
Many on Washington Irving
Off Hoboken.
WILD RUSH TO SHORE
ENDS 100 FEET AWAY
Rescue Squads in Grew and Nearby
Craft Take Off Scores-0ther
Boat Unidentified.
Bv the Associated Press


NEW YORK, June l. Rammed
amidShipS by an oil tanker. which ap-
peared out of a dense fog, only to dis
appear again before its identity could
be learned. the 81 900 900 excursion
steamer Washington Irving Of the
Hudson River Day Line sank in the
North River today after all Of the
200 passengers and the crew OF $50
had heen transferred to other boats.
The Washington Irving a steel side
wheeler. said to be the largest river
passenger boat in the world. had just
left its pier on its daily run to AL
bany when the crash occurred anC
water began rushing in through a
great hole on the port side. capt.
Deming headed for the Jersey shore
and serious panic was averted as
music from the ships orchestra
drowned out the screams of women
and the shouts of men. The crew
circulated among the passengers dis.
were launched and the stricken boat s
whistle sounded the distress signal
The boat sank within 100 feet OF
the Jersey shore after the last oc
cupant had left. There were nc
serious injuries. although many com
planned of minor hurts and many
relatives were separated in the con
fusion.
Passenger Tells of Crash.
Mrs. Addie Sargent of Garland
Utah. one of the passengers gave a
graphic description OF the accident.
She said that as the Washington Ir-
wing left it's pier and nosed upstream
toward Albany there was a collision,
which ripped large hole beneath
the waterline, causing much conster-
nation among the passengers There
was "A rush for life preservers and
many passengers were prevented
from leapinS overheard by the cool
ness of the captain. she said.
The skipper immediately organized
his crew into rescue squads, detail
ing some to obtain life preservers for
the passengers, others to quiet those
who were panic stricken and still others
to blow signal of distress. A num-
Der of river tugs Immediately sped
toward the sinking ship.
The captain then directed that the
Washington Irving's lifeboats be
swung out, and the passengers were
transferred to the tugs and landed at
various points along the river front
on the New York shore.
Lines First Accident.
The vessel was designed exclusively
for daylight passenger service. All
its fittings were designed with a view
toward giving the greatest comfort
possible to travellers making the seem
ic trip up the Hudson River. No
freight was carried on the boat, and
the only sleeping accommodations on
board were for the crew.
f. T.. Olcott, president of the Hud
son River Day Line. said in a state
ment that this was the first accident
in the history of the line. He felt
confident that the Washington Irving,
which cost $3.50, 900 and which he be-
lieved now worth Sl,000,000, would
not be a total loss.
Although no serious injuries were
reported, numerous women were said
to have tainted from excitement dur
ing and after the accident. Passen-
gers were unanimous in praiSing the
captain and crew for their GOODNESS
and heroism during the rescue work
Passengers reported that members of
the crew formed a human chain over
which to lower women and children
to lifeboats.