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Newspaper
Boston Post
Location
Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Date
Dec 23, 1912
Page
2
Mate Hedley and four seamen struggle through a wrecked cliffside night after the Florence is dashed on St Shotts rocks. Two men are badly injured, others exhausted and freezing. Hedley seeks aid, returns empty handed, dawn reveals no survivors, search for bodies yields fragments and wreckage, crew missing.
The Florence arrived in Boston harbor in January 1909 five days overdue and badly damaged after a gale. Captain Dawes faced high seas forcing a hazardous about face to avoid foundering. The steamer, 1609 tons, built in Sunderland in 1880, lost superstructure panels, three boats, ventiliators, and wheel house, with water flooding state rooms and crew belongings.
In Paris on December 22 an automatic parachute for aircraft was shown from the Eiffel Tower. A 40 foot umbrella operates by springs to open instantly as a fall begins. Dropped from the first platform with a sand bag representing an aviator, the apparatus opened before 60 feet and landed smoothly after 16 seconds of descent.
The board criticizes five cent food checks and guest books used to justify Sunday liquor sales, notes the market value of unissued licenses, calls druggists licenses unjust, urges physician certificates for liquor sales in drug stores, and supports licensing Sunday drinking places to curb kitchen barrooms while meeting demand in Boston.
Chief Ritchie collapsed while aboard a boat and died before doctors arrived. Medical Examiner Magrath cited acute dilation of the heart as the probable cause, noting a recent erysipelas attack and a heavy labor incident at the Mystic dock fire. The body was taken to the North Grove Street mortuary for further examination.
The licensing board calls a Sunday sandwich a test exhibit for salt content. The item is described as heavily salted to induce thirst, prompting buyers to purchase extra drinks.
Sunday drinking places are needed to meet demand in Boston. Drug licenses are unjust to city and license holders. A one dollar drug license fee is absurd. Recent laws have little value for Boston conditions. Present statutes breed contempt and deceit. In one city section twelve druggists sell as much liquor as a wholesaler. Bar and Bottle bill increases liquor sales. License fees for next year stay the same.
The board urges liquor sales by druggists only by doctors prescriptions, grants Sunday licenses to restaurants serving food, and keeps bar and bottle bill stance. It notes rising liquor sales at homes, growing grocer licenses and drivers’ cards, and calls for a higher salary for the secretary. Licenses on Sundays require strict premises rules and screening against flies. The piece also honors Chief Bob Ritchie, detailing his career from Engine 33 to Fireboat leadership and his respected, fatherly rapport with the community.
District Fire Chief Robert A. Ritchie, born in New York City in 1855, rose from boat builder and deep sea sailor to lead Boston’s floating fire fighters. His ship expertise helped him size up vessel fires and save property, with a career beginning on the Rescue Silver Gray in East Boston and a 1883 appointment to Engine 9.
Bangor Maine December 22 ice an inch thick formed on the Penobscot River last night leaving no vessels at Bangor and navigation above Winterport closed for the winter. The steamer Camden was routed to Winterport earlier today.
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