The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-06-17

DETAILS OF THE MAN.or-wAR's CRASH INTO
AN ICEBYRG--A HUNDRED FEET ABOVE THE
MAST.
A specsl dispatch from 81. Johns, N. F.,
saws: Your correspondent has Just return
cd from on board the British war frigate
FIaminco, where several hours were spent
in ascertaining the authentic facts bearing,
on her collision with an iceberg of the New.
ioundland coast. The damage done the
ship is not so grave IS was at nrst antici-
patcd.
intended for ram, end her bows arc DOS
sessed Of enormous resisting power. When
the steamer struck the iceberg her iibboom
and bowsprit operated as ferders. and by
the time these spais were driven in on deck
the Roadway OF the vessel was almost ar
rested. Notwithstanding this, there are at
least fen feet OF the stem cut away, starting
from the water-hne and terminating where
the how curves away 10 the forefoot and main
keel. The steamer makes very little water.
and IL is concluded that the hull is not much
strained or otherwise damaged, albeit the
terrible conclusion made every fibre OF the
little frigate tremble. Condor, the success
full contractor IN the case OF the Arizona, Is
engaged In making moudS OF the steamers
bows preparatory 10 the construction OF 4
submarine coHer-dam. by which agency the
repairs are to he Effected. The docking IA
cilitIes IN 81. Johns are unequal 10 a ship OF
the size Of the FlamiDeo, and the time oc-
cupied in preparing her for sea will be con-
siderably extended.
The Flamingo being one OF the fishery
protection service. aud being actually on
her mission II the west coast OF Newiound-
land when the collision occurred. It will be
necessary 10 replace her by another vessel,
or permit the service at the most important
part OF the year TO be deprived of the Gus
tomary controlling influence In enforcing
the regulations. Accordingly Commodore
Kennedy, OF the Druid. The principal ship
on this station. bias telegraphed 10 the Adj
miralty and asked instructions as to future
proceeding under the novel circumstances
that have arisen.
After an interview with the captain and
officers Of the FlamIngo the following facts
were ELECTED: The FIamingo weighed an
Choir in the harbor Of 81. Johns on Saturday
morning at 5 o'clock. destined for the west
coast. where she would cruise up and down
during the summer months in the interests
of the fsheiy-proiection service. The
weather in the early morning was densely
foggy and lowering, and, as Il consequence,
the speed Of the steamer was kept much be-
low the normal rate. All went we'll for an
hour and a half. Cape Spear had been
rounded, and the steamers course was set
at south.S0uthwest, thus giving the land a
safe berth and keeping ont OF the track OF
small fishing boats and trading SchoOnerS.
The presence of icebergs on the coast was
known 10 the captain and the officers of the
Flamingo. and very sharp and careful
outlook was kept up. Two men were
posted on the ibbOom end at the time. and
il was one OF these that first deserted the
huge mountain OF ice and sounded the word
OF warning.
The officer in command Immediately tele-
graphed 10 the engine room TO have the en-
gines reversed at full speed. In moment
the propeller was ST work pulling the war
shin back out Of the grasp OF what nearly
proved a fatal foe. The two men at the
lookout on the iibboOm end had barely time
to scamper in over the boom and bowsprit
when crash went these two spars, driven
in on the deck with terrific force, smashing
and unlocking all the iastenings and coup
lings on deck.
When the steamer forged off from the
huge berg the ice lowered 100 feet above
Der mastheads. with terrible menacing pro-
jections threatening in their fall to sink the
little war vessel deep down in the Atlantic.
At later season Of the year such collision
would probably have been attended with
complete destruction to the steamer and all
on board, but the icebergs now sailing along
the coast OF Newfoundland are bard and CO.
hesive. and not liable, as in autumn months,
to SILVER into pieces by The least jar or i'm
pact, or even by the ordinary detCnation OF
agun.
Had the iceberg broken up as the bows Of
the Flamingo crashed upon it there could
be no survivor TO unfold the dreadful tale.
The berg was at least a half mile in length,
and averaged about two hundred and fifty
feet above the surface Of the water, or more
than one hundred feet above the mast tops
OF the ship. Ii was fortunate, too, that
there was no sea on, as in such case the
berg might have rolled over on the steamer
when close to it and crushed it into
slaves.
After parting company with the iceberg
the Flamingo was got round and headed
for ST. Johns. where she arrived about an
hour and half after the accident. The
position OF the steamer al the time OF the
collision was about two miles east-south-
east from Moncton Point, which is ten
miles from 81. Johns.
When the iceberg was discerned by the
lookout the FlamiDgo was steamiDg at the
rate of seven and half miles. At the time
OF the collision the engines bad been re-
versed nearly minute, which reduced the
speed TO about three miles at the precise
moment OF the collision.
To the fortunate circumstance that she
was fitted with jibboom and bowsprit,
which neutralzed the force OF the impact
on the berg and operated as stays or tenders
10 keep off the hull, must be credited the
fact that the Flsmipgo has not furnished
another contribution 10 the long list OF
wholesale casualties recorded in the annals
OF the British navy.