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The Herald, 1908-08-21, Page 2SI KING F uyyn E T1 AJA. Vessel Run Down by Steamer Kingston at Charlotte. She Coes to Bottom of Labe ht One Minute. Conflicting Stories as to the Nu her Drowned. A Rochester despatch: Twenty pe were reported drowned when the axe salon steazner Titania, plying betw Charlotte and Sea Breeze, was str and sunk by the' great Richelieu & tario steamer } ingsbon in Charlo Harbor at 10.30 o'clock to -night, T Titania carried forty persons return from an evening of pleasure at le Breeze, the latest reports say that o about twerty of the passengers lu been saved. Frank Fix, of Buffalo, acting as gineer of the Titania, says to :tight tl he had not more than 15 or 20 passe sere aboard, and that he has account. for seventeen persons, including t crew. Fix is frantic with exeitemei Passengers rescued from the wat however, contend that there were least forty passengers on board the tans when she entered the harbor. The Titania, whic Ii was a small ve sel, was sunk within a. minute aft the collision according to the survive Following is the account of the e( lion given by Artnand S. Weill, a Bu falo advertiser manager, who was beard the Titania. Aix. Weill lives No. 134 Lancaster avenue, Buffalo. t about 10.30 o'clock we were ural.-•: Charlotte Harbor. The Titania had bt little leeway, yet an attempt was mad to force her to the pier before the pas ing of the Kingston. I think that the tempt was foolhardy on the part of tl captain of the Titania. "The Bing ton struck the Titania ami ship, and she keeled over. The fives wr.r put out, and within fifteen seconds th sebeamer was sunk," "I dove immediately into the late between the Titania and the Kingston I swam to the Kingston, carrying wit me a girl whom I caught in the water I pulled another girl out just as I climb ed aboard the Kingston. "I went back and dragged .a thir girl from the water, but she strut gled from my arms, and sank before chuld grasp her." The Titania had made the run of si miles from Sea Breeze, and was mak ing for her pier in Charlotte harbor The unanimous statement of the pas angers is to the effect that the Ti tania tried to pass ahead of 'the Kings ton within aspace of about 30 feet The big steamer crashed into the Titan la, and within a short time the. rammed excursion steamer was under the waves and her passengers were floundering in the water. Scores of small power boats immedi- ately set to work to rescue the surviv- ors. The United Staates Life Saving Crew from Charlotte, under Capt. Sieben, were rushed to the scene. The passengers, however, weep but ill prepared for the accident, and within sight of • ito piers and wharves of Charlotteinane- sank to their death. Mem of the passengers were women, and it i- thought that they, hampered 1,-• tie a• clothing, sank in the whirlpool fora. d by the sinking vessel. Many were picked up by the power boats, the lifesaving crews, andnd the excursion steamer tenders which flock- ed to the scene of the disaster. No list of passengers is available, as the trip made by Titania was but six miles long. and no passenger list was kept. The steamer made a trip about every hour, and usually carried fromforty to one hundred persons. The survivors taken from the water metered btered all over Charlotte, in hospitals, hotels, and private resi- dences, and all are so overcome by shock and terror that any oonueeted statement as to the number of persons in the steamer is impossible. The harbor police and the life saving crews are now at work dragging the river for bodies of the drowned. Ow- ing to. the strong current in the river here it is hardly thought probable that many will be recovered, The Titania was a small vessel of 73 tons, 98 feet long and 14 foot beam.She Wale built at Buffalo in 1875. The Titania had an interesting history and • during her service had sailed on all the great lakes. She was built as a Jrivate yacht for the late Sherman S. ewett, and was later owned by Josiah S, Jewett. Her career as a private vessel carne to an end when she was sold to Frank F. Fix, of this city, at a sheriff's sale several years ago. Mr. Fix used the boat as an excur un steamer, and in company with the big tug Sea Breeze made trips out of Port Charlotte: It is estimated that she was worth in the neighbarhood of $40,000. The Titania had au iron hull and was looked upon its a serviceable craft. T e Kingston was in charge of Cap- tain H. ld tford. c-.1 the Titania was commanded by Caj-.mixt Thorpe. The Kingston was entering the harbor from the lake. The steamer Kingston is a vessel of 1,009 net 'tons, 288 feet long and 36 foot beam. She was built in 1901 and is one of the best boats in the Richelieu & Ontario Navigation Company's fleet. ln- o ple ur- ecn uck On- tte he tub ea niy tve en - tat re- ed he it. er, ut 'i- s- er r5. ,1- f - on at lag at a ONLY ONE MISSING. Rochester, N. Y,, despatch: As the re- sult of the collision be }ween the sleam- eara TCi:aeston and Titania last night one woman is missing this morning, and it is feared eke was on the Titania and did t escape. The Is the wife of Capt. Roscoe, of the Algonia, and has been aeettstonted to retake frequent trips from Charlotte to -Summerville and return, Colleetor• of Customs Frank 'Torpey was early at the scene of the collision, and held three passengers of the Kings- ton •as witnesses. They are John T. Ed - worthy, Toronto; W. M. Ridley, Toronto, .and Geo. C. Fichte}, of 1 ochester. The Titania lays in about twelve feet of water. The Kingston was able to proceed to her dock and land her pas- sengers. The Titania was built in 1877 by H. C. Jewett, of Buffalo, and was purchased a few years ago by Ficht Bros., of that city: Capt. Thorp had commended the boat for four or five seasons. If the two boats had collided a short distauee farther from the pier there would undoubtedly have been loss of life, The explanations of the accident dif- fer, Capt. Esford blames Capt. Thorp. He insists the Titania was stupidly han- dled, and allowed tr• ram the Kingston in spite of the fact that the latter boat had the right of way, and the smaller boat had no chatnee to cut in ahead. On the: other hand. Capt. Thorp insists that his boat had the eight of nay, and that it was the duty of Capt. Esfor, who had been following hint fur some thirty minutes, to look out that there was no collision. This morning it was declared among boat -owners at the lake front that the 'Titania's steering gear was de- fective at the time she crashed into the Kingston. Kingston Captain's Story. Toronto, Ont., despatch: The R. & 0. Steamer Kingston, which was run into by the United Stales Ferry Titania be- tween the !dies at the entrance to the Charlotte harbor last night, the result being the sinking of the Titania, ar- rived in port this morning about an hour late. She brought •Lt:J passengers, most of whom were on hoard when the collision took place. Captain le ford blames the accident entirely on the Ti - tithe. "hither Captain Thretpe lost his head or lei,; eteerir:g gear, went wrong," he said when interviewed. Captain .1 -_,fore]. was en the bridge alt the time and when he sate the course the 'Titania was taking Ile tahouted to Captain Thrupe but the latter paid no attention and the next moment the erash carne. The light -house lamps were burning and the moon was shining brightly, so that the Titania's captain could not have failed to to see the leing- ston.. Captain Thrope wee the first man on board the Kingston after the collis- ion, stepping from one boat to the other as the Titania sank. The Titania's en- gineer stuck to itis post and went down with the tuifortunate vessel, but was afterwards rescued. There were 22 per- sons on board the Titania, according to Captain Elford, all of whom were saved. COSTLY DIAMONDS. Stranger Arrested in Pert Huron Trying to Sell Thenal In Saloon. Sarnia, Ont., Aug. 17.--A stylishly dressed stranger. who gives his name as John V. Smith was arrested late last evening in Port Huron while at- tempting to sell diamonds in a. saloon. The property taken from the pian con- sisted of four loose stones and three set rings, and was appraised by a local jeweler at $1,000. The roan was charged with smuggling. The dia- monds were confiscated. Government officials searched Smith's room at the Hotel Vendome and found four more unset stones, valued at $ 700. Smith claimed he was on his way to Cali- fornia and that the stones were in- tended for his wife but it is the belief of the police that they were stolen and moved from their settings. ROBERTS' OPINION. Tells King Edward That Quebec Review Was Great Success. Ottawa, Aug. 17.—The `military die - play at Quebec was complimented by Lord Roberts, The Militia Department here has received the following, which came to Earl Grey from the Colonial Of- fice: "For his Majesty the Ring, I have the honor to forward to your Majesty the following opinion from Lord Roberts with regard to to -day's review at Que- bec: 'The review this morning was a great success; the troops looked well, and I was much impressed with the pre- cision, order and organization generally. There were about 12,000 men under aures, and there was no hitch anywhere. Canada appears to me to be dealing ad- equately with the problems affecting her militia, and with care and improved or- ganization to be building up a very use -a ful force.'" UP IN THE AIR. Ohio Flan Stayed Up Six Minutes In His Aeroplane. Lemans, France, Aug, 17.— Wilbur Wright, of Dayton, 0., made a splendid flight with his aeroplane here this morn- ing, circling the field five times and remaining in the air six minutes 56 2-5 seconds. The flight was undulating throughout,' with the highest level 60 feet. Among the spectators was AL Kapferer, the engineer of the dirigible balloon Ville de Paris. CONTRIBUTE T ST jKE FU "' o Unique Contri tion of North Bay rchants. Company's P tion Seems One of In ffcrence. Sir Thomas Shaughnessy Leaves For a Week's Holiday. North Bay despatch: Eleven men im- ported by the C. P R. as strike-brea.k- ers have deserted the eorrpany here. There were five emehanics, four handy men, one boilermaker and one laborer, and the ranks of the strike-breakers do not seem to. be increasing. Two tramp machinists found sleeping in a box car last night were pressed into service, and accepted 'employment as strike- breakers rather' than face the ehaa•ge of trespassing. The C. I'. R. special police- man imported from Montreal created a sensation by appearing on the main street in uniform very drunk and bois- terous and defying arrest. lie was placed in the cells. Logi merchants areoffer- ing a percentage of cash sales to the strike fund. An enthusiastic mass meeting of esti- zeas held to -night was attended by over one thousand, General Chairman Rigby, of the local committee, outlined the causes leading to the strike, stating that the men of the eastern division had waived their demand for 10 per cent, increase in wages and a nine-hotu' day in order to avoid trouble, asking that only the conditions existing for several years remain in force. Speeches were made by Rev. C. E. Bishop, Rev. G. 1.. Johnston, ex -Mayor Purvis and J. W. .Richardson, 'lite trend of the speeches was that the Government should step into the breach and bring the company and the men together at once in an attempt to arrive at a speedy settlement and avoid the national calamity which seems im- pending. Railway traiumen and engine - men show signs of nervousness, and fear that if the strike continues under the present conditions serious accidents may occur. Rumors are current that the locomotives and the cars are beginning to show signs of the lack of care. it is reported that a party of engineering students from Mitchell College have been taken west by the C. P. It. to a„t as strike-breakers. The ranks of the strik- ers at North ilay are unbroken, the men standing stat. All is quiet and or- derly. C. P, R. Remains Indifferent. A Winnipeg despatch: The C. P. R. Strike Committee claims to be in pos- session of information to -night that the rolling stock of the company is getting into very bad. shape. The strikers are still depending on the engineers eo ut ,g out when the condition of the locomo- tives makes it dangerous for them to operate them. They say that a meet- ing was held last week, at which it was definitely decided that as soon as the condition of the rolling stock might be considered unsatisfactory they would cease to act. Lemieux act or no, they maintain that no law would compel them to take out engines whieh they believed to be unsafe. Five engines are dead at Moose Jaw. A curious phase of the labor situation is the fact that many of the striking machinists are being sworn in to act as special constables on the company's property. Will Engineers Strike? A Montreal despatch: There was not a single move of importance in connec- tion with the G P. R. strike here to- day, although the men were busy all day strengthening their organization and preparing for a prolonged struggle. The Canadian Pacific emphasized its os- tentatious indifference to the strike when Sir Thomas Shaughnessy left this evening to join his family at St. And- drew's-by-the-sea for a week's holiday. He will., however, be almost in as close touch with the course of events there as in Montreal. A big mass meeting was held by the strikers this afternoon, at which well over two thousand attended. It was supposed to be a meeting to ex- plain the attitude of the nlen to the pub- lic, but there were few present besides the strikers. Addresses were given by number of labor leedi•:s, who tock turns denouncing the Bourse of the C. P. R. and urging the men to stand together. The meeting was very enthusiastic and it was evident that there was not the slightest sign of wavering amongst the strikers, More Strike -Breakers. Toronto despatch: The ranks of the non-union workers at the shops of the Canadian Pacific 'Railway Company at West Toronto were further augmented yesterday by the addition of thirty-four ;strike-breakers, who were brought front the city in two crowds of seventeen oath. The first crowd reached the yards early in the morning and the last seven- teen were in a. espeoiai car attached to the "golf” train, which. goes as far as Lambton. When the train halted oppos- ite Van Horne street, where a large gang of strikers had assembled, the pick- ets boarded the car and used their per- suasive powers in an effort to get some of the strike-breakers to leave the ear and join them, Cries of "helpus and we will belp you" permeated the atmosphere, and the result was that five of the 'm- ullion men joined tate strikers. Subete- quently two private constables were stationed at each end of the ooaaeh to prevent further interference on tete part of the strikers. The daily report rocei+recd from the headquarters of the strikers stated that the company are running trains flat are not properly equipped with brakes, etc., and that the motive ` power throughout the system is rapidly show- ing• evidence of decline. The strikers will not receive their first installment of strike pay until next week. Fully 60 per cent, of the strik- ers are married .men and have large families to support and about 30 per cent.' of them own their own property in West Toronto, GRIP ESTIMATES. DROP FROM EIGHTY-FOUR TO SEVENTY-SIX PER, CENT. Prospect: Still Good—Hundred and Ten Million Bushels of Wheat From West—Heat and Drouth of su'y Have Lowered Condition of Field Crops. Ottawa, Aug. 17.—An estimate of the yield of Canadian crops has been is- sued by the :Dominion Census Bureau It gives the probable yield from the condition of the fields on the last day of July. The estimates are compiled from reports received from agents of the Census Bureau stationed all over the Dominion and thoroughly covering the whole field. Though the report indicates that there was a decline in the prospective yield from an 84 per emit. crop at the end of June to a 76 per cent. crop at the end of July, the prospects are for a satisfactory yield , 1he re- turns will be a long way ahead of last year. In the three Western Provinces, where the yield last year was ninety-two million bushels o,( wheat, the yield this year will be aver a hundred and ten million bushels of first -grade wheat. The report is as follows: elle heat and drouth of July have lowered the condi- tion of field crops all over Canada, but less in Ontario and Alberta than else- where, beonuse the ripening season in those Provinces has been earlier. Measured on the basis of 100 for a standard condition, being a. full crop of good quality, wheat fell during the mouth from 84 to 76, oats from 90 to 81, barley frorn 83 to 80, rye from 9.2 to 78, peas from 82 to 79, mixed grains from 84 to 81, and hay and clover from 87 to 82. Beans alone have not deter- iorated; their condition at the end of the month was 75 per cent., or one more than at the end of June. Other erops show corrdi'cions for the end of July of 78 for potatoes, 74 foe turnips, e3 far sugaa beets, 75 for outer roots. 77 far husking corn, and 83 for fodder coin, "In the western parts of Ontario har- vesting and haying operations were largely completed at the end of July and in Alberta they were under way. In Saskatchewan. and Afanitoba cutting was not expected to begin earlier than the second week of August. s-0 ALL -RED WINS. RACE FROM JAPAN WITH SILK CONSIGNMENT. Shipment by Canadian Route Will Nearly Have Reached England Be- fore Others Reach New York— An Important Trade Trial. A Montreal despatch: An international race that means a good deal for Cana- dian trade ended at New York to -day, when the C. P. R. landed a shipment of silk from Yokohama several days ahead of racing competitors from Japan and the United States, once again demon- strating the superiority of the Canadian route between the Orient and Europe. On July 21 the C. P. R. steamer Mont- eagle, the Japanese steamer Tosa Meru and the Pacific mail steamer China left Yokohama together, bound respectively for Vancouver, Seattle and San Fran- cisco. Each carried part of a consignment of silk, bound for London via New York, the consignors experimenting to see which was the most suitable route. Each line was instructed to hustle the silk ahead es fast a possible. The Monteagle reached Vancouver on Aug. 4; the Tosa Meru arrived at Seattle on the 8th., and the China docked at San Francisco on the 7th. This afternoon the Canadian shipment was delivered at New York. It will be at least two Jays before the Tosa Maru's Ioad reaches the same port, and a day or two later before the shipment via San Francisco gets there, by which time the shipment via the C. P. R. will be nearing the shores of England. The race has been watched with keen interest by shipping and railway circles, and the signal victory of the Canadian route is expected to have a effect in increasing trade between ibe Orient and Europe via the Dominion trade route, se • FIRES NEAR SPOKANE, Heavy Winds have Given Bush Fires Fresh 'Start. Spokane, Wash,, Aug. 17.—The forest fire in the Lake Coeur D'Alene country, 70 miles east of Spokane, which was supposed to be under control a'few days ago, has %a,kee. a fresh start and the flames are spreading In all dime - tions, caused by the heavy winds. The large titnberowners are sending all the men possible to fight the flames. The damage is said to be already im- mense. No towns are in danger to -day, WARK RAN AS '0'',:E Six Hundred Miles From Quebe During Fog. Fears That the Vessel May Go to Pieces. Six Hundred Passengers, But N Danger to Life. Montreal despatch: The news arrived at noon to -day that the Dominion liner Southwark, bound from Montreal to Liverpool, with 600 passengers Med a general cargo, had gone aground at Bras Point, on the outer edge of Forteau Bay, some die. ance west of the entrance to the Straits of Bel;.: Isle, and not far from the Point Amour signal station. The accident occurred last night during a heavy fog. No details are yet available, Mr. James Thom, manager of the Do- minion line here, in confirming the brief despatch, stated that the wrecking tug Lord Strathcona had been sent out from Quebec and should be at Bras Point by to -morrow night. The spot is a pro- tected one, and the passengers should, be in no danger. The Southwark is one of the elasa of passenger vessels known as "inter- mediate boats," that is, she carrie one class of cabin passengers and steerage passengers only. She is, however, a speedy vessel, and is used by the Do- minion line as a mail -carrier. She has no Marconi installation, and so is unable to make any report except by flag signal. The Southwark sailed from Mont- real on Saturday last, and at Rimouski she took aboard the week -end British mails. A dense fog has prevailed throughout the outer part of the gulf during the past few days, and it was probably this which threw the vessel out of her course. The point of the grounding is about six hundred and sixty miles from Quebec, and the Southwark had evidently been proceeding somewhat slowly. With the exception of the collier Portsmouth, this is the first vessel'to go aground in the St. Lawrence route this season. May Go to Pieces. Quebec despatch: It is impossible, to obtain accurate 'information respecting the accident, excepting that there was a dense fog prevailing when the passen- ger ship went ashore, and it is feared that she will go to pieces. The steam- ship Ottawa, inward bound, of the same litre, has gone to the Southwark's as- sistance. Capt. Williams, ono of the oldest masters of the Dominion line, was in charge of the Southwark whin the ac- cident occurred, and the greatest surrrise in shipping circles is felt for the mishap on account of the confidence held in him. The Empress of Britain, with Lord Roberts and Lord Strathcona on boatel, should have entered the Straits of 'Belie Isle on Sunday last, but owing to the fog did not enter till Monday, late in the day, and, according to the Marconi, is now m clear weather. The Cabin Passengers. The following cabin passengers were on board when the Southwark left Montreal: Dr. W. F. Bentler, Mrs. Bentler, Miss E. D. Burney, Miss Esther Braley, Miss Lillian Carter, Mr. W. R, Crowft, Miss Mary E. Chryst, Mr. H. W. Cannell, Miss Lucille Cantwell, Air. Sydney, N. Deane, Miss Desbrisay, Miss Lillian Davey, Mrs. Davis, Miss Gladys Doherty, Mr. A. G. Dale, Mr. James S. Duncan, Mr. Donald B. Forrest, Mr. Reber+ Fieckert, Mrs. Fieckert, Dr. B. H. Horton -.Barr, Miss Hodgart, Dr. H. Hess, Mrs. Hess, Mr, E. H. Harris, Mrs. Harris, Miss E. Harris, Master F. Harris, Mr. Theodore W. Koch, Mrs.Koch, Miss Eliner Lucas, Mrs. Lynch, Miss Lynch, b'rof. E. W. McBride, Miss Mary C. McMorrow, Mr. Charles Man- ning, Miss Ida E. Molson, Miss Niven, Dr. C. O'Reilly, Mr. James Powell, Mr. Gustave Perrault, Mrs. Perrault, Mr. Robert Pringle, Mrs. Pringle, Master Pringle, Miss Elizabeth M. Ryan, Mr. G. H. Smith, Mr. W. 13. Springer, Mr. W. Wood, Mrs. Wood, Mr. Geo. H. Wilkes, Mrs. Watson and infant. Among others of the Toronto passen- gers are Miss Niven, 39 Yorkville ave- nue; Mrs. Davies and her daughter, Miss Hodgart anoDr. Charles O'Reilly, 52 College street. Dr. O'Reilly is on hie way to Ireland to :tttend a meeting of the British Medical Association. Go M aaol out ., n ti he over to recov s to Dunt to oaso t the as an." C. P. o SUED. verismeut Wants Monsey Embez- zled by Railway Agent. Ottawa, Ont., Aug. 17.—The Depart: want of Customs lists taken action rest the C. P. It. for $320,000. The on is taken in Montreal, and anises of the embezzlements of Daviel Ho R.bbs, the Custoa Agent of the O. P. who is new servi,ag in the Peni.tera ary. Hobbs pocket.�d funds with which leas supposed to have paid Customs es for the railroad. Thedispute is the amount the Government failed recover. Of the amount sought to he Bred there is less than fifty thou- andollars, d made up of claims for tho- rnsdues. The remainder of the am - is for penalties, It v necessary claim these under the Act to bring the in proper form, but it is under:sstood. hat there is no intention of pressing for penalties when udgment is beingked, as the O. P. Pe was inhooent of feetemtion to do wrong.