The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-04
A WAR-SHIP In DISTRESS.
THE q. s. s. BROOKLYN BREAKS HER
MAIN SHAFT AT SEA,
And All of Her Machinery Is Thrown Out
of Order She Is Under Sail From
Honolulu and Had Been Out
1o7 Days.

cial TO the Times says: The startling in
formation that the United States man-of-
war Brooklyn was found at sea in distress
and out OF provisions was brought to this
CITY on the arrival OF the British steamer
Falshaw, Capt. Bennett, from Cape Verde,
yesterday morning. Immediately upon
learning OF the report your correspondent
put of in q small boat for the Falshaw,
which lies about mile out from the city.
Capt. Bennett, on being interviewed, said
that about noon on Tuesday, March 20,
they sighted vessel flying flag OF dis
tress and signaling for the Englishmon to
come closer. They were then in latitude
$50 42> north, longitude 63' 81 west, The
vessel in distress was about seven miles oil
the Falshaw's port bow.
The latter bore down upon the vessel,
and when within speaking distance learned
| that the stranger was the United states
man-oi-war Brooklyn, Capt Byron Will
son. A boat Immediately put OIL from the
war ship, containing Lieut.. Eugene D. +.
Head. Surgeon Groves Lurdstry, and the
chief steward. The party were rowed
alongside the Fashaw, and upon boarding
lyn had broken her main shaft, and that
other machinery was out OF order. In adj
dition to this, they were very short OF pro-
visions, and asked the Engishman to as
sist them. This Capt. Bennett did, and
after spending an hour or two on the tal-
shaw the Americans were rowed 10 the
disabled man.of-war.
The BROOKLYN was proceeding under
sail from Honolulu to New York, and had
been nj that time l07 days Mt sea. A
number Of letters, official and private,
were intrusted to Capt. Bennett who
mailed them upon his arrival here this
morning. All aboard the Brooklyn were
reported rs well, and rs the ships parted
company the Yankee taTs made the ocean
ring with three cheers for the Britisher.
Can't. Bennett says that he did not learn
where the accident beiell the Brooklyn,
hut he is Of tho opinion that II must have
happened soon after leaving Honolulu.
He saws that she WIS making very slow
progress, hut Lieut. Head left him with
The impression that they were fully con-
tented but for the scarcity Of provisions
These being rcplenshed from the larder o
! the Falshaw, Lieut. Head declined fur
Their offers OF assistance, saying that they
could make their way under sail to the
BROOKLYN navy yard, whence they wer,
bound Tor repairs. The Lieutenant also 10
ported that the Brooklyn had encountered
, three severe gales, one OF which lasteC
three DAYS.
The Brooklyn n on her way from tn
China station TO New York. Coming righ
after the Apia disaster, the news OF th'
/. ! Brooklyn's distress created a proloun'
4 sensation in shipping circles in this city.
The Brooklyn's passage home was no
: an exceptionally long one, since nan
, sailing vessels not handicapped 10y an,
, dragging screw, ns vas the Brooklyn, hay
|, | required ~ many M 100 TO 100 days
IL very likely that In heavy weather som
I, az the provisions may have been spoiled
!, and the men were compelled TO live %
, bare bareback aud salt horse" rs JAG
: calls salt pork, for, to those acquainie
!, with the provisioning OF war ships Tor Ion
10 passages, It Us known that great quantitl
N Of fresh provisions are carried IN impr
n yised bins on deck. To naval officers,
seems hardly probable that the rcgul'
suppy OF rations could have been icoI
/, arlized. IL il more likely that the war,
- room aud stcerngc mcsscs ran shor, Of p,
Iv taioes and other vegetables, which the
X took occasion To rcplenish from some b
II merchantmen they sighted on the rout
~ Very likely, too, tho captain Of the Bri
H. isher was induced 10 part with great
n supply Of toothsome, fresh vegetable
IN when the hungry Yankees represents
4 how starved they were. Naval Office
10 understand what Il is to run short Of FREE
~ provisions and come down 10 salt junk
n, As for flying the signal OF distress, II "
n, about the only sure way the Brookll
81 could make merchantmen, rushing alo
20 TO make a quick passage, stop and spei
rn 10 her, and Il can only be inferred III
'ie Capt. Byron Wilson was n hungry ioI
r.. mess u fresh vegetables as any oi his war
ny room officers