LINER SUNK.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 415, 26 January 1909, Page 5

LINER SUNK.

COLLISION WITH AN EMIGRANT SHIP. SIX PERSONS KILLED. AMERICAN FLEET'S SUPPLIES LOST.' [BY TELEGBAI'H—rRJSSS ASSOCIATION—COI?YttIGHT.) New York, January 24. The White Star liner Republic, 15,378 tons, collided with an unknown vessel-in ..a. dense, fog off Nantucket Island, on the coast of Massachusetts.. Tho Republic sank, but, all on board wero saved. ; . There were 250 first-class, passengers, 211 steerage, and 300 crew on board tho Republic, which was starting oh a winter excursion' to tho Mediterranean, . Her cargo included 500 tons of supplies for the American fleet, to replace stores sent to Messina. ■ . . VALUE OFAYIRELESS. NUMEROUS STEAMERS SUMMONED. FLORIDA REGAINS PORT. ' (Rec. January 25, 10 p.m.), New York, January 25. Further particulars show that the vessel which collided with the Republic was the steamer Florida, 'which, was just, completing her voyage to the United States with 800 Italian emigrants on board. '. Tho Florida crashed, into the side of' the Republic abreast of the engine-room. Two passengers on the Republic and four on the Florida were killed. ■.''.. In response to ethergrams sent by the Republic, numerous liners, including the 'White Star liner Baltic (23,876 tons), arrived. The Baltic met tho Florida, and the Republic's passengers (who were already- a,board the Florida) were transferred to the' Baltic, together with the emigrants. ■'. ■.-./. The Florida was badly damaged, but was able to be conveyed to port under her own steam. ■■■■:■■■ The Baltic (Captain Ramson) then went in search of and found the Republic, which was apparently in good towing-condition/ The master (Captain Selby) and crew of the Republic had stood by the vessel in open boats; determined not to,abandon her as long as she was afloat. ■ '.'.• Captain Selby, with fifty men, boarded the Republic after the Baltic's arrival, and made preparations for towing her. When sho foundered, nobody was aboard. '•. ■'■ - Captain Selby's courage- and coolness throughout the disaster are highly praised:Ho personally directed the operation of; the ethergraphs, equally, with the work of transferring the Republic's passengers to the Florida, and casing for his ship and crew. The Republic was' of distinctly modern, if not the-latest, type,: being built in 1903 by Messrs. Hnrland and Wolff. Her dimensions were:—length 570 ft, beam, 67.8 ft., depth 21ft tonnage 15,378 gross. , The Republic was specially provided with water-tight compartments, and'doublo bottom, and, was believed to be a considerable advance towards the'ideal of: the uusinkable. :

There are several Floridas, but probably the steel twin-screw, steamer of 5018 tons, built' at Genoa in 1905, is the one that collided with .he Republic, She belongs to the Italian Lloyds.