New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-31


shoals form a breakwater, and often gave shelter
to blockade-runners in the war. No papers Of any
description were taken from the sinking steamer.
1t is said there were important documents on board
Many of the crew, who had been working almost
without cessation SINCE leaving the Dry TOrtugas,
were completely exhausted on being taken OIL the
Virgiuius. Some have not yet fully recovered.
THE VIRGINIUS AT KEY WEST,
WHERE THE LEAKS WERE 6ITUATED-THE PUMPS
AND ENGINEJ-THR TRIP NOT REGARDED AS uN-
sAFE WHEN THR VESSEL sAIIKD FROM KEY WEST
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON. Dec. 30.-The following bas been
received from special correspondent;
KEY WEST. Fla, Dec. 3O.-Naval officers here are
much surprised at the news received from The
TRIBUNE of the sinking of the Vngnius Flag
Lieuep ant Adolph Mark, who brought the Virginius
out of Bahia Honda and to the Totugas stated that
when our officers went aboard they found one leak
forwar which. they were informed had troubled
the ship for years. This leak had been partially re-
paired with cement, but might be enlarged in bad
weather There was leak also in and about the
valves of the engine, beside the engine pump There
were only two small pumps, at which the labor OF
the men was constantly required to keep the water
down. The main pump of the engine would easily
have done So but that could only be used when the
engine was going and in good order. On
the trip over to the Tortugas, one watch
Lad to work continually, until the engine
started to keep the water down. During the first
night at the Tortugas, when no pumps were going
the ship made four and half feet of water She
was divided into artments, but for convenience
in pumping all out by the main pump there was
communication between the compartments about
three feet up. Lieut. Mark is of the opinion. as
we're other officers that it would be unsafe for her
20 rsk the trip alone in bad weather, but that she
was perfectly safe in tow. She had no sail except
Door lib and her engines were not entirely trust
worthy in case Of an emergency. Her model and
movement showed her to be good sea boat. The
officers in charge of the Vrginius are regarded here
as eminently competent Lieut.. Mark was willing
and anxious to continue in charge until her arrival
n northern port. and nobody believed il would be
unsafe for her to make the trip IN tow.
LAST VOYAGE OF THE VIRGINlUS.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF
THE vIRGINIUs TO THE COMMANDER OF THE
The following is the official report of Lieut.-Com-
mander David c. Woodrow of the Virginius to Com
mander John Waters of the Ossipee:
u. S. STEAMER 0ssPEE THIRD RATE. AT SEA,
LAT. 80 IGN; LONG. 75o 49, w.. Dec II, 1873
SIR: have to report that took command OF the
Tortugas, relieving Lieut. Mark. Engineer George A.
Calhoun and Second Assistant Engineer N II. Lsmdin,
together with three machinsts, two boier-maker SIX
seameu, engineers force SIX ordinary seameD, an-
gineers force; eight Beamea and fourteen lands
men, composed her complement Second As
sistant Engineer Absslom Kirby and Midship-
man Underwood Tyler subsequently Joined the ship.
found about 70 OF btuminous coal in the ship and
over 20 tons OF dirt and ashes in rerooms and bges
very dirty She leaking in her forward compart-
mept and had water in all her compartments During
the evening received stores on board, and working
marty from the Ossipee who coaed ship all night from
the schooner Matte A. Hand The crew Of the Vrgnius
were exhausted by. constant work from the time Of
leaving Bahia Honda. Next morning stopped coalne,
and put all hands work pumping and bailnR out ship,
the water having gained feet during the night Att
a. H. the water was up to the crate bare in both fire.
rooms; the forward compartment had depth OF feet
| and the after compartmen cts feet inches.
During the day received assistance from the Ossipee
In the way Of working parties to help clear the ship Of
| water repack the studinR boxes, and overhaul the
aud sraners about the engines and to repair the
hunks In the forecaste and cabin Capt Whiting was
on board during day and examined the leak around
her fore-foot with Chief Engineer King and myself.
This leak was the only of any consequence that
could find in the ship At p. m. the water was 80
| much reduced that able to start fires in the
forward boiler and at 81 In the after boiler Az soon
as steam was reported / commenced backing the
zines 10 clear the ship OF water by her bgepumDs AT
4, a. H. Capt. Whiting expressed himself as satisfied
that the virginus In fit condition. to 20 north, and
left the ship Soon after went TO Sea in tow OF tho
Ossipee During the day. and 90 long a. the sea was
oomparatiyely smooth, managed 70 keep the water
down with the main engine pumps As We proceeded
north and the sea the working OF the ship grsdu-
v loosened the rives of Of her bow plates an old
match on the bow loose and che leaked 20 badly
that had to plug upher timberhoies IN inc iofWNa
bulkhead TO keep the nre-rooms clear.
Durne the forenoon Of the 22d inst threw overheard
e, mort hover anchor and all the heavy weights in her
forehod consisting of OLD wire ngging chain cables,
old ron ETC. and shifted the coal from her srehold aft,
IN order to Tighten her forward
On the afternoon OF the sd We had from 70 ~
fact Of water in the forward compartment and 30 much
water IN the fire TO endanger putting out tho
ars and sgnAed you not to 30 farther n2rth that
there was dock 1t Charleston, knowing that would
h 10 rsk carrying away OF her forward
hulkbead and having reliance IN any OF her pumps.
which had been constantly breaking down and boc"m-
ing choked ever starting bosidee tnis my men
worn ont their hunks were drenched, and they hso
M Mace 70 sleep Her bows we're then worAng 70 nuen
that the hunks In the forocsstle came admit RON toe
ships sides. ~
Asa m., Dec. -, the crown sheet OF the miodioI"
mace after-boiler, caved IN. and hauieo nres 'Om
that boiler Shortly after several ohstes "erc
IN The forward boiler At daylight signaiod the con
1ton N, boilers and water. and you sent CHIEF ED
gnser King on board. He inspected the boilers and
understood that opinion. they were not sse sno
gave orders not 10 carry than I'VE pounds OF steam
unless In extreme necessity. Wild tnh 10" preA'u'o
one OF the furnaces gave out the afternoon, havinga
blister on the crown sheets three feet long From 'hs
time until made fast 10 you again Oh ue 1o'" ins%
we had about the same amount OF WAFER ID INC mp