Steamer H.M. Whitney Sinking in Boston Harbor

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Steamer H.M. Whitney Sinking in Boston Harbor

"Steamer Sunk in Boston Harbor
The Ottomon Comes Into Collision with the H.M. Whitney of the Metropolitan Line
Boston, Mass., Sept. 28 – [Special] – Within seven minutes after it left its wharf this evening the steamer H.M. Whitney of the Metropolitan line, plying between Boston and New York, was lying in midchannel with its nose in the muddy bottom of the harbor and two holes in its starboard side, made by the prow of the steamship Ottoman of the Warren line. The collision was the result of a misunderstanding of signals. The Ottoman was coming up from quarantine and the H.M. Whitney had just started for New York. They met in the channel, both vessels going at a slow rate of speed. Capt. Hallett of the Whitney says he gave two whistles and that the Ottoman answered him with two. Capt. Williams of the Ottoman says he heard only one whistle and that he answered it with one. The result was that the Ottoman crashed into the Whitney’s starboard bow near the foremast. The force of the collision knocked everybody and everything on the Whitney endwise. In an instant it filled and sank. The water tight compartments held the Whitney’s stern above water. Fortunately no lives were lost and no one was injured by the collision. The Ottoman suffered only slightly, a small hole being stove in the bow below the water line and a few of the iron plated being started. The Whitney cost $250,000 and is fully covered by insurance. Its cargo is valued at $150,000. Arrangements have been made to begin the work of raising the Whitney at once." – Chicago Tribune, September 29, 1892, p. 1.

Boston MA

MA

USA

October 1, 1892