The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-12
THE ONEIDA DISASTER.

Chs Oilers to Raise the vesseI-why the Oneida
Had no More Boats
The Washington correspondent of the New
fork Tribune telegraphs the following 4
Inn informed by trustworthy correspondent
n Japan that Captain Batchelder, an honest
american, friend of the Oneida officers,
pan of experience eandreputation in the raising
vessels, and entirely responsible for any
lning he assumes, made to Admiral Rowan of
he Asiatic Squadron propositions of which
he following are copies:-
YOKOHAMA, April 80, 1S70.-Admiral s. G.
Rowan-Sir-I think could raise the wreck
bf the Oneida by singing her between two large
essels, and place her on the beach at Yokoska
N safety, and will endeavor to do so for 800 600,
iii included, provided you will advance me
30 600 to pay portion of the heavy expense
ball have to incur, as the work progresses; the
smaining $50, 600 to be paid within two months
fter the vessel has been raised. All the battery,
tggng, etc, to be removed before attempting
10 raise the hull.
In case the vessel is raised I will further
Igree to dock and complete repairs caused by
he collision to the Oneida, making one trip
With the steamer, for the further sum of $35, 900
Inclusive, and in case find it impossible to
Eaise the Oneida, after making faithful attempts,
kny further sum expended by me to be at my
Iwn loss, and no further claim TO be made for
extras in case of failure on my part to raise the
wreck of the Oneida. / would simply say that
WOulu NC Wllll0B W lOS6 UuCu JlIlt ana bOEue
oney before would abandon the once noble
essel, aud have quite as much national pride
most American citizens, and should you see
to place the work in my hands, l trust that
either you nor our Government will have
6use to regret it. Faithfully yours,
j. NJ. BAToHELDER.
REPLY OF ADMIRAL ROWAN.
FLAGSHIP DELAWARE, YOKOHAMA, May 9
B70.-J. M. Batehelder, Esq.-sir:-I this morn
bg received your proposal to raise the Oneida.
cannot make the advance you propose. l
ball leave for home in few days, and cannot
eave contingent agreements for large amounts
ehind me. / will give you eighty thousand
ollars ($S0, ,000) the day you put the Oneida on
be upper beach of Yokoska, or, in case she
oats, will receive her and pay the whole
mount. will also aid you by giving the use
sheet cables of the Idaho, and allow the
onacacy to tow the wreck into port
Respectfully, ETC., :. g. ROWAN,
Rear-Admiral Commanding Asiatc Squadron
SECOND LETTER OF CAPTAIN BATCHELDER.
YOKOHAMA, May q, 1S70.-Rear Admiral s.
Rowan-Sir:-In answer to yours of the Sd
,st beg to say l should be pleased to raise
be Oneida on the terms you propose, but in
Sc of any unforeseen accident causing fail
re in raising said Oneidn, l am unable to lose
large an amount, and only ask the $50, 900
rom Government. Should / not succeed,
hould be a great loser, and receive nothing
bore, whereas you would receive a large por
on of your money back in the battery, and
aterials saved from the wreck. In case you
lould see fit to advance the money, and would
raw on the Government at sixty days sight,
less, ! could arrange easily here for what
Most respectfully yours,
j. NJ. BATCHELDER.
REPLY OF ADMIRAL ROWAN.
u. S. FLAGSHIP DELAWARE,
YoKoHoMA, May 10, 1870.
J. NJ. BAToHELDER, EsQ.-Sir:-I expected to
ave seen you after the last proposition was
lade by you to raise the Oneida. Am / to
nderstand you have made your final offer?
ish to know before concluding other arrange
hents now ia hand. Respectfully yours,
Rear Adj Cong Asiatic Squadron.
URTHER OFFER TO RAISE THE ONEIDA WITH
OUT ANY RISK TO THE GOVERNMENT.
YOKOHAMA, May 13, 1870.-Rear Admiral s..
Rowan-Slr:-Referring to our conversation
this date regarding my proposition to raise
he Oneida, am willing to accept your offer of
$50, 600, provided you will advance me $40, 900
hen the battery, safe ETC., are recovered from
be Oneida, and further sum of $40, 900 when
be vessels are placed over the wreck, and
hains attached to the same. l am fully con-
nced, from my own experience, that it will
ost me fully $4,000 to make the attempt to
aise the Oneida, and should you wish I can
live you a detailed statement of probable cost
my proposed attempt to place the Oneida in
lfety on the beach of Yokoska. Most respect
billy yours, j. NJ. BATCHELDER.
U. s. FLAGSHIP DELAWARE, YOKOHAMA,
lay IA, 1S70.-J. M. Batchelder, Esq Sir:-1
m in receipt of your communication of yester-
ays date, in which you propose to raise the
media for $50, 900, provided that an advance oi
30, 900 is made. l cannot, in justice t The
overnment pay so large an amount for the
ecovery of the vessel and take all the risks o.
allure. 1 am, therefore, obliged to reject you
fer. Very respectfully, S. G. RowAN,
ear-Admiral and ommander-in-Chief U. s
Asiatic Fleet.
YOKOHAMA, May Is, 1s70-Rear-A Admiral s
Rowan, Commanding Asiatic Fleet-Sir:-
my final offer TO raise the Oneida and make th,
required advance of $4,000 when the battery
was raised, and $40, 900 when vessels were owe
bnd chains made fast to the Oneida, is at hand
D regret you could not give the required ad
vance In justice to myself and my family,
cannot take less. Were rich man | woult
have cheerfully commenced work on tn
Oneida, relying upon the Government to repa.
me at some future time. The $20, 600 advance
required from you on account of the hull wa
not the one-half it would have required me t
have advanced ere / could have raised tn
Oneida. Most respectfully yours,
SINGULAR ACTION BY ADMIRAL ROWAN.
At one time Admiral Rowan sent the fol
lowing memoranda, bearing neither date no
signature, to Captain Bachelor, intimatin
that an offer of that kind would be accepted
but withdrew it when Captain Bachelor aC
ceded to the TERMS
MEMORANDA
"When the guns, carriages, masts, spars, rig
gings, anchors cables, and money-chest are re
covered and put in the Idaho, and when tn
chains, five on side, are made fast to the hulk
And when the Oneida is securely afoat in tn
harbor at Yokoska, or, in case she does nc
float in safety, she will be placed on shore, on
bottom free from rocks and stones, when tide