The New York herald., 1873-12-16
THE COAL BARGE BLOCKADE.

The Arapiles Still Detained in Dock
Tho Absurd Rumors Concerning tho
Accidcnt-The Mysterious Onicer-state-
ment OF the Facts OF tho Sinking by
an Eye Witness-Annoyanco OF the
Authorities-The Dictator sont to Eric
Basin.
The powerful iron-clad Arapies the pride OF tho
Spanish navy, and perchance the terror OF those
phianthropic individuals who consider that war
should be avoided at any cost. remains quietly
and peacefully in the dry dock at the Brooklyn Navy
Yard, blockaded by an Insignificant coal barge
sunk the entrance. The fact that The accident
OF the sinking occurred at time when war bc-
tween the United states and Spain was among the
possibilities has given rise to various specuations
and rumors whose absurdity 1t were hard
to surpass. Color has been given to the
air OF mystery thrown around it by tho
strongly expressed opinion OF the Spanish of1cers
OF the vessel that the sinking OF the barge was Dy
design and for the purpose OF OBTAINING them here.
and by the statement of the Reading (Pa.) Eagle,
reDublished in the HERALD OF yesterday. and evi-
IDENTITY inspired by the commander OF the coal
barge, commodore" Troutman, that while NOV
ing toward q Brooklyn wharf he was boarded By
an unknown individual, "wen dressed and
APPARENTLY AN OFFICER
who too charge OF his barge and towed 1t along.
side of q ship at the Brooklyn Navy Yard" the
sc oeaT a @ TO %nc M
suit In great national negotiation, II not some
% ow % mi s 81 was
to the navy yard and sought an interview with Vice
Admiral Rowan, commanding the yard. He was
admitted after the usual fOrmaities and stated tho
object OF his visit. The Admiral listened with that
dignifed urbanity for which he Is noted, and, In
variety or questions produced the same response
and the reporter took his leave. He then pro-
Equipment Bureau, by whom ne was received with,
much courtesy. The Captain stated that the sink
ing o. the barge bar was no new thing; many Of these
crack, especially when loaded with coal they went
TO the bottom ON very soon: The reporter was then
ing the coal, and that individual being found on
FEW SIMPLE FACTS
in reference to the accident were obtained. The
coal which comes to the yard is consigned to dfer-
ent bureaus, and is landed at various points on
the wharf as convenience may dictate. The sunken
barge named the Upland, had on board coal be.
longing to John White, either as agent or owner.
and was consigned to the Bureau OF Steam
Engines. When nearing the wharf she was boarded
Dy . Mr.: Raymond, clerk or salesman OF Mr..
the Reading Ed0le-who took charge OF her and
placed her at wharf near the entrance OF the
place for discharging COAL At this time the fore
man OF the Equipment Bureau was expecting
ass with w sn was S uS @
the one he proceeded to the. wharf, with
20 to unload a6. her re once
time ere the other, the one expected, arrived. As
IL was necessary that the latter should be dis
charged at once the Upland was showed away
rom the wharf and temporarily placed In front OF
THE ENTRANCE TO THE DOCK.
Meanwhile the captain, and whoever else might
have been on board OF her, departed, leaving her
alone. Soon after word came to the foreman, who
was experimenting the discharge Of the other
barge, that the Upland was sinking. An examine
tion showed this to be the fact, but OF course,
nothing could be done, and sne soon after went to
the bottom. These facts were given TO the re-
porter by the foreman in question, Mr.. Nichols, OF
the Equipment Bureau, and there can be no doubt
Of their truthfuness. He expresses the opinion
that had the barge been properly looked after she
would not have sunk, as IN the start her pumps
could probably have kep1her free from water.
Mr.. Ezra Merritt, the superintendent Of the
Coast Wrecking Company, has visited the spot,
and divers have been sent down to ascertain the
exact situation Of the barge. from their report
Mr.. Merritt states that, II she can be brought to
the surface without breaking, It can be accom-
plshed In three weeks, otherwise 1t viii require
MONTH. II is understood the work will soon be
proceeded with.
The authorities Of the yard are very much an
noyed at the situation, as they desire to use the
dock Immediately. Last evening the Dictator.
which is undergoing extensive repairs, was sent
TO Erie basin, Red Hook Point 10 go into dock
there, owing to the blockade Of the one at the