The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-01-26
THE WRECK.
Result of IA Divers Observations-yyha
Capt. Wright said a fser tIle Disaster.

Capt. Wright said a fger tIae Disaster.
Boston, Jan. 24.-George W. Townsend,
wrecker, of this city, who visited the wreck on
tug G. W. Hant, yesterday afternoon, came
to New Bedford last evening, with his diver,
John Olsen, who went down and examined
the hull of the Columbus, in the Interests of
the underwriters. MI. Olsen said last night
that he made two descents during the after
noon, both of them on the starboard side of the
steamer. The first time he went down to the
stern, and walked from the propeller forward
to about .nidships. The hull did not appear to
be injured in this place. His second descent
was made near the bow, and he walked toward
the stern. AT place about fifteen feet from
the stern he found hole in the hull eight feet
liz length, and about foot wide. The plates
were torn aud broken all about this, and the
edges of them bent inward. Further aft, on
the same side, at the bilge, he found place
where the plates were broken off and ragged
hole, about one foot in diameter. There
seemed TO be no other injuries. The rock on
which the steamer had evidently struck was
situated about ten feet ahead of her, on the
starboard side, 1t projected about five feet
from the bottom, was rounded on the side
away from the ste amer, but on the nearest end
WIS abrupt and sharp. 1t weighed apparently
about ten tons. There was large piece, some
half ton in weight, split OF Jne front of it,
which lay somewhat nearer the vessel. Ths
place where the piece came from was appar-
emily very freshly broken, from its different
color and appearance. Mr Olsen said tnat he
should not think by the appearance of the
outside of the hull, that the main deck could
have been carried off, for the rivets by which
it as fastened were not drawn. He also said
that the undertow was very slight, aud ne
could not see what there was 10 prevent
thorough examination OF the outside of the
steamer. He was very much surprised to
learn that the other diver said that the state
rooms had all been carried away. aud thought
that twenty miautes was hardly time enough
to settle this matter definitely. He was sur
prsed TO learn that the main deck had been
carried away, because the rail was still stand
ing. aud he failed TO see how the wafer could
force up the man deck uBder the circum-
Stances. 1t was qnite another matter about
the upper deck, which was carried eff when
SIZE struck.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-Capt. Eric Gabriel
son. comua ding the U. 5. revenue steamer
Dexter, as made report to the S.cretary of
the Treasury in regard to the assistance ren-
dered by that vessel to the wrecked steamer
City of Columbus He Gays that the conduct
of the officers aud crew on this trying occasion
were highly commendable, each performing
his duty with alacrity and efficiency, and he
especially commends to the consideration of
the depaT tment, 1st Lieut. W. d, Roath, I'd
Lieut.. j. U. Rhodes, and 81 Lieut.. q. ID Ken
Deuy, as brave ana exemplary IN conduct on
this occasion; also First Assistant Engineer A.
f. Rockefeller and Second Assistant Engineer
q. W. Beckwith. both of whom were assiduous
in their Care and attention to the survivors.
BOSTON, Jan. 24.-There is no news today
from he wreck. The following facts wers re-
laled by Capt. Wright en- the Saturday follow
ing the disaster. He said that ne twice repri-
manded Mr.. Harding, the officer in charge OF
the ship at the time she struck, for altering
the course of The vessel without calling his a.
tentton to the fabt, and had told MIR. Harding
he should never under any circumstances, al
ter the course of the steamer, unless to clear
vessel, without consulting him Capt. Wright
said further that he never went to bed hen
on the floor with his clothes on, or TOOK nap
in CHAIR with blanket over him.