Show PANIC BOAT The Piedmont Nearly Capsized by hy Mad Nad Rush of Passengers in San Francisco Harbor San Francisco April 26 A panic was narrowly averted on the ferry beat Piedmont at 1020 this morning m as the vessel was making the trip to this city Thousands of or refu refugees refugees refugees gees had crowded both decks of the steamer until standing room was at a premium When at a point opposite Goat Island the paddle wheel struck an abandoned scow with a resounding crash The noise threw the passengers into a state of alarm Many lany of them ran to the opposite side of the boat which listed heavily to starboard The cry went up that the boat was capsizing A mad rush was made for the life liCe preservers They were torn from the cases case and quickly donned The officers officers cers were unable to cope with the throng Their efforts to allay the fears were impotent and it was not until the vessel had been safely docked that order was wa restored |