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Show Co.. agents of the Florida. Tho statement state-ment says: "A dense fog existed at the time of ,tho collision. The Florida had been J proceeding at a moderate speed, blowing blow-ing her fop: whistle frequently. The captain and chief officers were- in j charge of her navigation on the bridge j and tho quartermaster was at the wheel, and tho lookout was doubled on account of the fog. "The Florida was proceeding slowly slow-ly when tho fog whistles of another steamer which afterward proved to be tho Republic, were heard by the officers offi-cers and lookouts off the starboard bow of the Italian steamer. "The engines of the Florida were reversed re-versed and two signals of three whistles whis-tles was blown, Indicating that the engines en-gines were going astern. The coll lsion, nevertheless, took place, tho bow of the Florida striking tho port side of the Republic somewhat fore of amidships, causing serious damage to both steamers. "When the Republic became visible through the fog she was crossing the bow of the Florida from starboard to port and running at high speed. Tho helm of the Florida was promptly put to starboard, hoping to swing the boat of tho Italian steamer to starboard and to assist in avoiding the danger of a collision. "The other steamer, however, was running so fast that the vessels collided. col-lided. "Tho published statements that there was a misunderstanding of orders or-ders on the bridge of the Florida, are not true. The orders given by the captain were promptly and properly executed. "No criticism whatever Is made by the captain or any of the officers against any member of the crew of the Florida. The captain and officers are satisfied that eery man did his , duty. There is no foundation whatever what-ever for the story that any member of the crew was struck or reprimanded by the captain. "After the collision and after the Florida had ascertained the extent of her own injuries, the captain rendered such assistance as lay In his power to the Republic and her passengers." STATEMENT AGENTS Of (he Florida as to Cause of Collision With Republic New York, Jan. 2G. A statement as to the cause of the Nantucket collision between the White Star liner Republic and the Italian liner Florida, was Issued Is-sued late today by C. B. Richards & |