REPUBLIC-FLORIDA COLLISION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 3, 28 January 1909, Page 2

REPUBLIC-FLORIDA COLLISION

THE CAPTAIN'S RESOURCE. PANIC SUPPRESSED. New York, January 20, By prearrangement, blue lights were burned and pistols fired from the Republic just before she foundered, in order to prevent the tugboat Greshani being drawn into the vortex. Thereupon the hawser severed anil the Gresham's lifeboats were lowered. Captain Selby, master of the Republic, immediately after th„ collision, reassured the passengers, remarking that he did not think the Republic would sink. "She will settle down to a certain point," he declared, "and will stay there." All the iiassi'iigers-4111 in numberheartily cheered the captain for the manner in which he had acted, and for his kindly advice, and returning to the state rooms put on warm clothes. The Florida's officers suppressed an incipient panic amongst the 800 Italian emigrants when the Republic was sinking. After sending away the whole of tho crew in lifeboats, Captain Selby, declining to leave the Republic, climbed up the foremast, and reached the masthead light as the vessel foundered in 38 fathoms of water. Tho second officer, Williams, jumped over the rail into the sea. The Gresliain's boats rescued both officers, neither of whom had a life-belt.