Crashing together in the dense fog Monday morning the steamers Miramar and Gay Head sustained serious damage. The collision came off Mosher’s Ledge, outside New Bedford harbor.

The upper-works of the Miramar were smashed and she was battered in only a short distance above the water-line. It is probable that the presence of mind and prompt action of both captains avoided a serious accident. As it was there were no serious injuries and the damage to the boats is the only result of the crash.

The boats usually pass much nearer Woods Hole. According to passengers both were sounding their fog horns and every precaution was being taken. Men on the Miramar are said to have heard the Gay Head’s whistle, sounding as if it were a great way off. The next second the crash came. The boats had come so close before either was visible to the other that it was impossible to avoid the collision.

The Gay Head was hit in the wheel box, the breakage extending for a distance of 15 feet forward of it, and the damage is so extensive that the steamer will not be serviceable until repairs are made. The Miramar was hit about 15 feet back of her bow on her port side, the collision carrying away part of her superstructure. Neither Captain James O. Sandsbury, in command of the Gay Head, or Captain Manuel K. Sylvia, in command of the Miramar, saw the other boat in time to prevent the collision.

After the steamers came together the Miramar sheered off first, and the steamers immediately lost sight of each other in a thick enveloping fog. The Miramar blew one fog blast and continued on her way to Woods Hole, at which point Captain Sylvia reported the first information of the collision to reach General Agent William A. Smith at the New Bedford office.

Following the collision Captain Sandsbury anchored the Gay Head and ordered an immediate investigation as to the extent of the damage. Finding there was no water coming in, Chief Engineer Manuel G. Rosa made an examination of the wheel box. There was a good deal of debris, broken timbers and bent braces in the paddle box, and it was an hour and 20 minutes before the Gay Head was able to continue on her way into this port. She was coming in under her own power when the tug J. T. Sherman met her near Butler’s Flat lighthouse.

Only one person was injured as a result of the accident. Joseph Estey, of Fall River, employed by the company as a pipefitter’s helper, had one leg so bruised that he could not bear his weight on it. He was attended at Woods Hole by Dr. Jones who reported no bones broken.

The Miramar finished her trip to Vineyard Haven and Capt. Frank Vincent in the “On Time” took up the job of keeping the island in touch with the mainland. The Sankaty was put on for the Nantucket run.

Strange to stay, the Gay Head, was hit almost exactly in the same place amidships 22 years ago by the Nantucket, now out of commission. That was the last collision between two boats of the New Bedford, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamboat Company until the mishap of this week.

The rarity of accidents speaks well for the line.

When the Nantucket and the Gay Head came together off Nobska 22 years ago, the day was cloudy but the sea was oily smooth which saved the Nantucket. The bow of that boat was badly smashed but Woods Hole was only fifteen minutes away and the steamer was able to get there under its own power.

Surveyors representing the insurance underwriters made an examination of the damage sustained by the Gay Head. Temporary repairs will be made to the ship so that she will be able to go to Newport for permanent repairs. The steamer will be out of commission for an indefinite period.

The surveyors came down to Vineyard Haven to examine the Miramar. Accompanying the surveyors was W. T. Berry of Newport, superintendent of marine construction of the New England Steamship Company.

Captain Francis J. Marshall, the veteran captain of the Vineyard line, went to Newport to take command of the Uncatena.

When the Sankaty went out  she was operated by the crew of the disabled steamer, Gay Head.

The damage to the wheel on the port side of the steamer Gay Head includes a bent rim, radius bars twisted and flat arms broken. Forward of the wheel box the joiner work is broken for a space of 15 or 20 feet.