New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-13
FEARS FOR THE ATLANTA.
HAS SHE BEEN SUNK BY THE HURRICANE?
REPORTS THAT THE CRUISER HAS BEEN LOST
BELIEF AT THE NAVY YARD THAT

A rumor became current early yesterday that the
cruiser Atlanta. which left tho Navy Yard for New
port on Monday last, had been lost at sea. The
report soon spread and I'm short while inquiries
were made at the Navy Yard by friends of those
on board for tdlngs. All efforts to trace the original
foundation OF the report without avail. The
Atlanta sailed from the Navy Yard about o'clock
on Monday morning, and took the outside course
past sandy HOOK. The RIM to Newport IS ordinarily
made in about twelve hours but II Is thought that
before The vessel arrived of the harb0r tho bad
weather camc on and that Captain Howell ran on
shore with the intention OF remaining outside until
,he gale should slbs1c When Commodore Ramsay
commandant Of the Navy Yard, was asked yesterday
what he knew Of the rumOrs, he said: g. don't
wonder that people are worried but / think that
the Atlanta Is all right Captain Howell was probably
inclined not TO 60 into the harbOr I'm such wind,
and he Is probably outside somewhere at his ease
There were 312 men on board. and she was a strong
ship, although she might go under II she tried 10
face the gale. I have been asked about her several
times to-day but do not know who started the rumor
about her being lost The vessel Is strong and left
in good order. She has been IN a gale before, and
so has her sister-shIp the Boston.
There was published yesterday dispatch from
Washington, in which an alarming picture was drawn
As 10 the probability of the loss OF the Atlanta. The
dispatch mentioned among other criticisms that she
very deep in the water and of the pecularitieS
of this type Of vessels IS their inability to ride over
heavy seas. =. The heavy seas which she ttrnck
Monday night and yesterday would have swept her
fore and aft and tho fear Is that having such low
irecboarl the heavy seas have pounded her to such
an extent as to render the vessel entirely helpless
The above IS Just contrary TO statement made
by an officer who tho Atlanta when she made
her cruise the West Indies. He said She is equal
in power and efficiency to nine tcnths of the I'M
armoted ships Of her class and tonnage afoat She
4, the most satisfactory vessel have ever served IN
Not a ship that sailed I'm would have made such
good weather in the heavy that We met OH the
Iermudas and In the West Indies. She rises to the
Splendidly, ana during elghty-nlne hours In a
heavy gale and tcmpcstuous she averaged II II
knots under half boiler power. and az time during
the heavy weather did the interfere with the
working of the guns ] don't think there need De
any apprehension felt for the safety of the vessel al
least not for the present.
The Atlanta Is protected cruiser, like the Boston,
and carries main battery Of two S-nch and SIX 6-inch
guns. and secondary battery OF twelve rapid-hrc
and machine guns Her displacement Is 3l59 tons.
The following her officers Captain J. A. Howell
executive officer: Lieutenant y. f. Niles. navigator
LieutcnantS q. A. Calhoun and G.. H. Peters signs
H. =. knapp, 4. l.. Key and J. Vi. Poyer, surgeon
Michael C. brennan. Passed Assistant Surgeon :. II.
Dickson. Paymaster f. Putnam. Chief Engineer W. II.
Harris Passed Assistant Engineer W. f. Worthingon.
Assistant Engineer A. McAllster, First Lieutenant OF
Marines Mercer.