Evening star., 1939-11-05
Fifty Years Ago
In The Stur
In the early morning Of October 20.
1850, the steamers Cleopatra and Crystal

In the early morning Of October 20.
1850, the steamers Cleopatra and Crystal
Wave collided and
Sinking Of the sank OF the capes Of
'Cystol Wave Delaware. The latter
had been purchased
by Capt E. s. Randall Of this city and
was on her way here for Potomac River
service. The following in The Star Of
October 81, 1889, is the story of passen-
ger on the boat bound for Washington:
Mr.. Thomas Gray of Anacostia was
on the Crystal Wave. The owner Of the
vessel, Capt. E. s. Randall, invited q
number of his Anacostia friends to ac-
company him to New York and make
the trip home on his new boat, but Mr..
Gray was the only one from here Who
could accept his hospitality. Mr.. Gray
returned at 8 o'clock last night and was
warmly welcomed by his friends. The
collision with the Cleopatra was about
5am. In Egyptian darkness. Part Of the
l3 persons aboard the Crystal Wave were
In the hunks. but Mr.. Gray had just got
up and was sitting chatting with Capt.
Randall when the crash came. He says
there was no time to be scared and he
kept no record Of what he thought, a.
everybody as II by instinct made for the
lifeboats When the steamers came to-
gether one Of the Crystal Waves crew
jumped aboard the Cleopatra. but all
were soon aboard the Kanawha, where
they were treated royalty by her captain.
Before leaving New York Capt. Randall
was offered $4,000 for his boat, which
would carry 1000 people and was pur-
chased to ply between Washington and
River View. Those on board the Crystal
Wave were the owner. E. 8. Randall;
James Jones. Henry Kingsley, Mr..
Davis, Mr.. Luckett, the pilot, and
Thomas Gray, all Of the District, and
Sam Martin, the captain; Plat Spencer,
Ben Nelson, Isaac Smith, Dory O'Neal,
Joseph McCann and Stephen O'Couner,
al Of New York"
On November 2, 1859, Capt. Randall
came into The Star office and gave the
following story Of the disaster:
"Capt. E. 8. Randall. owner Of the
Crystal Wave, was at The Star ofice
today and when questioned by reporter
gave some additional facts regarding the
collision Of the Crystal Wave and the
Cleopatra Is miles OF the Delaware
Coast Tuesday morning. There was no
fog, but it was very dark at Sis, when
the crash came Capt. Randall was in
the engine room talking with Thomas
Gray and as there had been bad weather
his first impression was that the Wave
had struck q wrecked vessel, but he was
quickly undeceived. Capt. Martin OF New
York was in charge Of the Wave and
stated that he first saw the mast light
Of the Cleopatra and next her green
light, when he gave orders to haul the
Wave over two points and let the two
steamers pass on port side. The quar-
termaster replied that the Cleopatra
was then showing her red light, and as
it was too late to change the course OF
his boat Capt. Martin signaled the engi-
neer to back at full speed.
"The boat responded quickly, but the
Cleopatra was close upon them and
struck the Wave rs feet aft her stem,
cutting to the keel knocking out the
stem and putting her fires out in 10 min
utes. The Wave was afloat IS minutes
after the collision. sinking head first in
100 feet Of water. In lowering her first
boat, containing Engineer Spencer and
Henry Kengla, aged II, the tackle broke
and they were plunged into the sea.
Engineer Davis also got overheard and
Thomas Gray got well soaked In Jump
ing into tho boat. AL were easily res
cued. Capt. Randall would have re-
mained with Capt. Martin Abut was urged
to 20 on board the Kanawha, - the
Wave was sure to sink, and, securing all
the clothing Of the crew and passengers.
he took leave Of his boat. The Kanawha
towed the Cleopatra . short distance,
but found her too big load and cut her
loose. but while within range Of their
glasses she was still adoat and the last
view showed pilot boat making for her.
capt. Randall is entirely satisfied
With the conduct Of Capt. Martin and
believes he did all that could have been
done. He talked Of insuring the WAve
before the trip, but - she was . good
sea boat and 1t would cost az per cent
for . s6-hour trip, or $1,000 for $4,000
policy, old steamboat men advised him
to take his own risks The Wave was
built II years ago at. . cost Of 100000
and wss . dne bargain at $4,000. the
peaes paid 70 ths 1zsdospoet o."