The Hays Free Press

NAVAL COLLIER GOES DOWN

Crew and 60 Marines on Board Got Away in Small Boats Navy Yard Hears.

Washington, July 15.—The naval collier Hector went down in shallow waters near Charleston, S. C., late today and was breaking up, according to a message received by the Navy Department tonight from Charleston.

The message added that the collier was lowering small boats but did not say whether the 142 persons aboard had reached rescue ships in safety. The message was filed at Charleston at 4 o'clock this afternoon.

The Hector had aboard a crew of seventy men and twelve officers and a detachment of sixty marines who were on their way from Port Royal, S. C., to points in Cuba and Santo Domingo.

Capt. F. R. Hunt of the tug Vigilant reported that the Vigilant had endeavored to aid the collier today, but could only approach within three miles of it on account of high seas. The last direct message from the collier, received at 4 o'clock, stated that it was aground and was lowering its small boats. No news has been received as to whether any of the boats got safely away.

Charleston, S. C., July 15.—Officials at the navy yard here late tonight announced that the crew of the naval collier Hector, which was reported sunk off here, had been taken off in small boats. A wireless message, it was said, had been sent out asking all vessels to watch for the boats.