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Show BRITISH STEAMER SENT TO BOTTOM I Norfolk, Va Oct. 6. The British steamer Hawkhead, at anchor in Hampton Roads of Sewall's Point, was run down and sunk about 8 o'clock tonight by the Chesapeake Steamboat company's bay line steamer City of Norfolk, outward bound from this port for Baltimore with a number of passengers. The City of Norfolk was badly damaged about the bow, but there was no loss of life, so far as is known. The collision occurred during a heavy fog. Captain Hand and tho crew of tho Hawkhead were taken off by small boats lowered by the City of Norfolk, the river steamer Pocahontas and other craftk which were passing. Fifteen Fif-teen minutes after being struck the British ship had settled on the bottom In 30 feot of water. MoBt of the nearly 100 passengers on the City of Norfolk were at dinner din-ner when the crash came. There was great excitement for a few mlnutos, but tho officers soon restored order. The Pocahontas came, alongside the City of Norfolk and the passengers were transferred to tho river craft, but they remained there only a short time, being put aboard a bay liner of the Baltimore Steam Packet company, which took most of them to Baltimore. Balti-more. Although tho City of Norfolk's bow was carried away for ten foot, the col- llsion bulkheads held, and she turned about and steamed slowly back to this port, being assisted by tugs. Tho City of Norfolk was proceeding to Old Point Comfort at a slow rate of speed because of the fi'g, but in spite of this fact she struck the Hawkhead with great force, tearing a big hole in her side near the stern. The British ship filled quickly and went down by the stern. The Hawkhead was anchored off the Sewall's Point pier of the Virginian Vir-ginian railroad, awaiting a berth there. She arrived October from Savona. The captain of neither vessel would discuss the collision after they arrived here late tonight, further than to say that the roads were enveloped in a heavy blanket of fog'. |