A serious collision occurred early lest Saturday morning in a
fog about a hundred and seventy miles east of New York between an Italian steamer, the Florida,' and the White Star liner 'Republic.' Two passengers on board the 'Republic' were killed and a few injured. Nearly all the passengers were asleep at the time, and it is creditable that there was no panic in either ship, although there are stories of bad behaviour on the part of a few. It was soon apparent that the 'Republic' was unsafe, although it was not quite certain whether she would sink, and her passengers were transferred to the 'Florida,' which, however, was not in a safe condition either. The wireless telegraphic apparatus of the ' Republic ' was set to work, and there has never been a better illustration of the inestimable boon of this invention to shipping. The code letters of distress, "0. Q. D.," were repeated again and again, while the operator, a man named Binns, worked heroically in his office, although the 'Republic' plight have sunk or his shattered office have collapsed over hum. In a short time several ships were searching for the ' Republic ' and Florida,' and between six and seven in the evening the latter was found by the which brought all the passengers to New York. The 'Florida' reached the American coast safely, but the 'Republic' sank on Sunday evening near Martha's Vineyard.
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