The New York herald., 1879-10-19
SUNK OFF SANDY HOOK.

COLLISION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES
FRIGArE MINNESOTA AND THE SCHOONER
ADDIE PiTMAN.
collision occurred Friday night of Absecom
Light between the United States training ship Min
nesota and the schooner Abbie Pitman. of Marble
head. Mass. in which the latter was badly dam
aged that twelve hours later sho went to the bot
tom. On the 9Th iAst. she cleared from Boston Her
master. Captain Chase. was to take her
with cargo of coal to philsdelphia.
but failed TO mako much headway, and
at sunset on Friday sighted Absecom Light
of which. ut about eight o'clock. he abreast.
The frisate had been at the naval drill in Hampton
Roads. whero she visited by the President. and
was returning to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. 1t
foggy weather when she reached Absecom. aud
sho had just stopped to take soundings. The
lookout failed 10 the schooner coming up her
port bow. Tho watch the smaller craft also
unaware of the others presence and hal no intiua-
ton OF danger till the frisatcs huge hull lcomed up
i'll the g!ooin just ahead or them. The man ut The
wheel powerless to act, and before anything
struck the steamer the port bow. The shock was
terrific. The schooners bow yielded with crash
and down came the foremost and maintopmast upon
the deck. For a few moments there was scene OF
wild confusion. The trained crew aboard the,school
ahip. however. speedily recovered from their sur
prise and thronged to the bulwarks to
lend what assistance they could. They
found that their own vessel had escaped in
jury, and Ut the longboat low
cred to 90 to the aid OF the disabled
schooner. The found the men aboard her in
CONSERVATION. One OF them had been injured by
the falling mssts. ana the rest trying to clear
away the wreck. The Minnesotas sent the
wounded sailor aboard the frigate, aud then lent
hand to cut away the tmbers and rigging that
Uttered the deck When the schooner righted
it was found that her forecastle had been
stove in and she had sprung dangerous leak.
through which the water was pouring into the hold.
This communicated to the Minnesota's officers.
and they sent twenty-five to reinforce the Abbie
Pitman's crew. At once the pumps were rugged, and
apparent that they could not long contend with the
the Minnesota took her in tow and held to her till
eight o'clock yesterday morning. Then the tugboat
Atlantic was signaled and the lines of the disabled
craft transferred to her.
PUMPING LAST.
The vessels twenty five miles southeast OF the
Highlands Mt the time and the tug put all steam
and made for Sandy Hook. On the way the COM
bined crews kept the pumps going, but 1t became
evident that the vessel could float only short time
The wounded sailor had been put aboard the
Atlantic and thither his comrades taken in tho
longboat. The Minnesotas men also rowed away.
and although the tug still dragged the sinking
vessel through the water her crow stood ready to
of the lines when it became necessary. They
three miles off the point Of Sandy Hookwhen the
schooner lurched forward and sank. Nothing
saved but the sailors clothing. The Atlantic landed
the crew here last evening. The Abbie Pitman was
built in 1866 in Chelsea, Mass. She Of 2SS tons
burthen and was owned by Pitman Co.