Skip to content

U.S. NewsBreaking

Tanker collides with docked riverboat on Mississippi in New Orleans; rescues underway

By

Coverage spectrum

Covered by 27 outlets across the spectrum.

34 articles in total. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias

Listing riverboat beside a tanker on the Mississippi, with a tugboat and onlookers on the riverbank.
Image via New York PostHow images are chosenReport this image

A tanker collided with the docked American Cruise Lines riverboat American Heritage on the Mississippi River near the Port of New Orleans on Friday, around 12:30 p.m. The riverboat had about 129 passengers aboard, and reports say at least 12 people were in the water. Rescue operations were underway. The riverboat was partially submerged after the collision, and some accounts say it capsized onto its side. Authorities had not immediately said whether there were injuries or deaths. American Cruise Lines said guests and crew had been evacuated and that it was working with the U.S. Coast Guard.

Headline and summary written by Mantle’s AI from the coverage below, under published rules. Editors read every story. How this works

What happened

Key points

Each point shows who reports it, from Far Left to Far Right.

  1. A tanker collided with the docked American Cruise Lines riverboat American Heritage near the Port of New Orleans on Friday, around 12:30 p.m.

    Reported byFar Left1Left1Center1Right1Far Right2See the outletsHide the outlets
    Far Left
    MS NOW
    Left
    CBS News
    Center
    United Press International
    Right
    Washington Examiner
    Far Right
    The Daily Caller, Just the News

  2. About 129 passengers were aboard the riverboat, plus an unspecified number of crew.

    Reported byFar Left1Center1Far Right2See the outletsHide the outlets
    Far Left
    MS NOW
    Center
    United Press International
    Far Right
    The Daily Caller, Just the News

  3. Rescue operations were underway, with reports of at least 12 people in the water.

    Reported byFar Left1Left1Center1Far Right2See the outletsHide the outlets
    Far Left
    MS NOW
    Left
    CBS News
    Center
    United Press International
    Far Right
    The Daily Caller, Just the News

  4. The riverboat was partially submerged after the collision, and some accounts say it capsized or lay on its side.

    Reported byFar Left2Center2Far Right1See the outletsHide the outlets
    Far Left
    MS NOW, Raw Story
    Center
    Deutsche Welle, BBC News
    Far Right
    Just the News

  5. Authorities had not immediately said whether there were injuries or deaths.

    Reported byFar Left1Far Right1See the outletsHide the outlets
    Far Left
    MS NOW
    Far Right
    Just the News

  6. American Cruise Lines said guests and crew were evacuated and that it was coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard.

    Reported byCenter1Far Right2See the outletsHide the outlets
    Center
    United Press International
    Far Right
    The Daily Caller, Just the News

What is contested

Where accounts differ

Questions the coverage answers differently, and who says what.

  • Did the riverboat capsize?

    Deutsche Welle, BBC and Raw Story report that the riverboat capsized or was on its side, while the AP-based MS NOW report and Just the News say it was partially submerged.

How each side tells it

Compare views

Every side reports that a tanker struck the docked American Heritage riverboat in New Orleans Friday, with about 129 passengers aboard and rescues underway. Far-end outlets on both sides lean on vivid video and peril language, while center outlets use plain collision wording.

  • the left

    10 outlets

    CBS and MS NOW, which carries an AP report, lead with the rescue, CBS using ‘slams into’; Far Left Raw Story headlines a quoted ‘fighting for their lives’ line and says the ship capsized.

    What we know after tanker Loaded verb“slams into”‘Slams into’ adds force to the collision, where other outlets use neutral verbs such as collides or hits.More neutral: collides withDisagree with this highlight? river cruise ship in New Orleans
    CBS NewsLeftAll left-leaning headlines

  • the center

    8 outlets

    Center headlines use plain collision wording, with BBC stressing that the cruise ship was seen on its side.

    Tanker collides with cruise ship on Mississippi River in New Orleans
    United Press InternationalCenterAll center headlines

  • the right

    9 outlets

    Right headlines mostly use plain collision wording and lead with the passengers, while Far Right Western Journal opens with ‘Breaking’ and people in the water.

    Tanker collides with riverboat transporting 129 passengers near New Orleans
    Just the NewsFar RightAll right-leaning headlines

The words they chose

Language to notice

Words that carry a judgement beyond the facts. Tap a highlighted word anywhere on the page to see why.

  • Left3

    Slams Intoslammed intoHarrowing video

  • Center0

    No loaded words in its own voice.

  • Right6

    Slams Intoslammed intoTerrifying videoDisturbing

In the outlets’ own words

  • Loaded verb

    Slams IntoMore neutral: Hits

    The verb adds force beyond the reported fact of a collision, and other outlets use hits or collides.

    Water Rescues Underway After Tanker Slams Into Docked Cruise Ship

    Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)Fox News (Far Right)CBS News (Left)

  • Loaded verb

    slammed intoMore neutral: hit

    The verb adds force beyond the reported fact of a collision, and other outlets use hits or collides.

    The Atlantic Asphalt tanker slammed into the docked American Heritage cruise ship on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on…

    Used byFox News (Far Right)Raw Story (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    Terrifying videoMore neutral: video of the collision

    ‘Terrifying’ tells the reader how to feel about the footage rather than describing what it shows.

    🚨Terrifying video out of #NewOrleans/#Lousiana.

    Used byThe Daily Caller (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    DisturbingMore neutral: Photos

    The word characterizes the photos as shocking before readers see them.

    Disturbing photos show people clinging to the railings of the vessel in Louisiana on Friday…

    Used byDaily Mail (Right)

Show 3 more phrasesShow fewer

  • Sensational language

    franticMore neutral: ongoing

    The word adds drama that the reported facts do not require.

    …with 129 on board capsizes after being struck by tanker in Port of New Orleans, as frantic rescue operation is launched

    Used byDaily Mail (Right)

  • Sensational language

    Harrowing videoMore neutral: Video

    Adjective that adds emotional drama to the description of the video.

    Harrowing video captured the moment the American Heritage began tipping over and taking on water…

    Used byRaw Story (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    sent shockwaves throughout LouisianaMore neutral: The accident has drawn attention across Louisiana.

    Dramatic phrase that adds emotional weight the accident facts do not require.

    A terrible maritime accident has sent shockwaves throughout Louisiana.

    Used byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

Words quoted from someone else (1)Hide the quoted words

Loaded words that outlets reported someone else saying. They show what was said, not how the outlet chose to say it.

  • Sensational language

    Quoted

    Fighting for their livesMore neutral: Rescuers working to reach people in the river

    Dramatic quotation in the headline that conveys urgency and peril beyond what the reported rescue facts state.

    ‘Fighting for their lives’: Cruise ship capsizes after tanker collision

    Quoted byRaw Story (Far Left)

    These are Brianna Keilar’s words. The outlets are reporting them.

See the full language guide

See for yourself

Side by side

What each side leads with and what it leaves out. Open a side to read its headlines.

From the left

10 outlets

Leads with

  • the rescue operation
  • the force of the tanker’s impact
  • people in the water

Leaves out

  • American Cruise Lines’ statement that guests and crew were evacuated

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 10 headlines from the leftHide the headlines

From the center

8 outlets

Leads with

  • the collision itself
  • the rescue operation
  • the passenger count
See the 8 headlines from the centerHide the headlines

From the right

9 outlets

Leads with

  • the 129 passengers aboard
  • the cruise line’s statement
  • passengers in the water
See the 9 headlines from the rightHide the headlines
  • New York PostRight

    Dozens of passengers rushed to hospital after tanker lost control and collided with cruise ship: mayor

    The Atlantic Asphalt tanker slammed into the docked American Cruise Lines’ American Heritage, which was carrying about 129 passengers as well as crew on the Mississippi River at around 12:30 p.m., Port NOLA told The Post.

    Read at New York Post (opens in a new tab)
    1 more from New York Post
  • The Western JournalFar Right

    Breaking: Tanker Strikes Cruise Ship in New Orleans Port, Passengers in Water

    A terrible maritime accident has Sensational language“sent shockwaves throughout Louisiana”Dramatic phrase that adds emotional weight the accident facts do not require.More neutral: The accident has drawn attention across Louisiana.Disagree with this highlight?. According to multiple reports, the Atlantic Asphalt tanker collided with a docked cruise ship Friday near the Port of New Orleans

    Read at The Western Journal (opens in a new tab)
  • Washington ExaminerRight

    Tanker crashes into river cruise ship carrying over 100 passengers in Port of New Orleans

    A tanker collided with a cruise ship carrying over 100 passengers on the Mississippi River near the Port of New Orleans on Friday afternoon, prompting a large emergency response. The incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. …

    Read at Washington Examiner (opens in a new tab)
  • Daily MailRight

    Paddle wheel cruise ship with 129 on board capsizes after being struck by tanker in Port of New Orleans, as Sensational language“frantic”The word adds drama that the reported facts do not require.More neutral: ongoingDisagree with this highlight? rescue operation is launched

    Sensational language“Disturbing”The word characterizes the photos as shocking before readers see them.More neutral: PhotosDisagree with this highlight? photos show people clinging to the railings of the vessel in Louisiana on Friday afternoon.

    Read at Daily Mail (opens in a new tab)
  • The Daily CallerFar Right

    Rescue Effort Underway After Tanker Collides With River Boat Cruise Ship

    Emergency responses are underway in New Orleans after a collision between a tanker and a cruise ship left people in the Mississippi River. The Port of New Orleans said that the American Cruise Lines riverboat, the American Heritage, was docked at the port when it was struck by …

    Read at The Daily Caller (opens in a new tab)
  • Fox NewsFar Right

    Tanker Loaded verb“slams into”The verb adds force beyond the reported fact of a collision, and other outlets use hits or collides.More neutral: hitsDisagree with this highlight? docked New Orleans river cruiser carrying 129 passengers, sparking rescue

    The Atlantic Asphalt tanker Loaded verb“slammed into”The verb adds force beyond the reported fact of a collision, and other outlets use hits or collides.More neutral: hitDisagree with this highlight? the docked American Heritage cruise ship on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday afternoon.

    Read at Fox News (opens in a new tab)
  • The Center SquareRight

    Tanker strikes docked cruise ship in New Orleans

    (The Center Square) — A tanker struck a docked river cruise ship carrying approximately 129 passengers and additional crew members Friday afternoon in New Orleans, prompting a multiagency emergency response, according to a Port of New Orleans statement.

    Read at The Center Square (opens in a new tab)
  • The Daily WireFar Right

    Water Rescues Underway After Tanker Loaded verb“Slams Into”The verb adds force beyond the reported fact of a collision, and other outlets use hits or collides.More neutral: HitsDisagree with this highlight? Docked Cruise Ship

    Water rescue operations are underway after a tanker struck a docked riverboat carrying more than 100 passengers at the Port of New Orleans on the Mississippi River. …

    Read at The Daily Wire (opens in a new tab)
  • Just the NewsFar Right

    Tanker collides with riverboat transporting 129 passengers near New Orleans

    Rescue operations were underway Friday afternoon after the riverboat was partially submerged, according to officials.

    Read at Just the News (opens in a new tab)
    1 more from Just the News

The stories you read build My Mix, a private picture of which sides cover the stories you choose, kept on this device. What is My Mix?

The left is Far Left and Left together. The right is Right and Far Right together. Every outlet keeps its own five-point rating.

Who reported it when

How the coverage built up

  • Left

    5 hr 14 min later

    Its first report, Nov 13, 3:01 PM EST

  • Center

    5 hr 26 min later

    Its first report, Nov 13, 3:13 PM EST

  • Right

    First to report

    The Daily Wire, Nov 13, 9:47 AM EST

See the order the outlets reported inHide the order
  1. The Daily WireFar RightNov 13, 9:47 AM EST
  2. ABC NewsLeftNov 13, 3:01 PM EST
  3. The GuardianLeftNov 13, 3:04 PM EST
  4. CNNLeftNov 13, 3:09 PM EST
  5. The HillCenterNov 13, 3:13 PM EST
  6. The Center SquareRightNov 13, 3:16 PM EST
  7. NewsNationCenterNov 13, 3:16 PM EST
  8. NBC NewsLeftNov 13, 3:21 PM EST
  9. The New York TimesLeftNov 13, 3:22 PM EST
  10. New York PostRightNov 13, 3:23 PM EST
  11. NewsweekCenterNov 13, 3:27 PM EST
  12. Sky NewsCenterNov 13, 3:37 PM EST
  13. CBS NewsLeftNov 13, 3:38 PM EST
  14. Fox NewsFar RightNov 13, 3:42 PM EST
  15. The Boston GlobeFar LeftNov 13, 3:46 PM EST
  16. The Daily CallerFar RightNov 13, 3:47 PM EST
  17. The Washington PostLeftNov 13, 3:48 PM EST
  18. Daily MailRightNov 13, 3:50 PM EST
  19. Raw StoryFar LeftNov 13, 3:57 PM EST
  20. PBS NewsHourCenterNov 13, 4:00 PM EST
  21. Washington ExaminerRightNov 13, 4:03 PM EST
  22. BBC NewsCenterNov 13, 4:15 PM EST
  23. The Western JournalFar RightNov 13, 4:23 PM EST
  24. MS NOWFar LeftNov 13, 4:26 PM EST
  25. Deutsche WelleCenterNov 13, 4:31 PM EST
  26. United Press InternationalCenterNov 13, 5:27 PM EST

Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out. Just the News gave only a date, so it is not placed.

Read next

Help someone else find the truth beneath the surface

Most people see one side of a story. Share this one, so they can see how every side is telling it and decide for themselves.

Email it
Embed

Show this story’s coverage card on your own site, blog or class page. It has the headline, who is covering it and a link back here, and it tracks nobody. See the card

Seen a mistake? Tell us what is wrong with this page