The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-04-04
A AAS,OF,wAR IN DISTRESS.
AuothsrO Of Our Naval Vessels Disablsd-A
British Ship Supplies Her with Provisions

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PENSACOLA, FLA, April S.-The start
ling information that the United States
man-oi,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 Verder, yesterday morning,
Immediately upon learning Of the re,
port correspondent put of In small
boat for the Falshaw, which lies about a
mile out from the city, Capt. Bennett,
on being interviewed, said that about
noon on Tuesday, March 20, they sight.
ed a vessel flying flag OF distress, and
signaling for the Englishman TO come
closer. They were then in latitude %, Y
north, longitude 63, 81, west, The yes.
sci In distress was about seven miles oil
the Falshaw's port bow,
The latter bore down unon the vessel
and when within speaking distance
learned that the stranger was the United
States mAn.oi-wAr Brooklyn, Captain
Byron Wilson, A boat was Immediately
nut of from the war ship containing
Lieutenant Eugene d. +. Head, Sur,
geon George O, Lurdesty and the chief
steward, The party were rowed along,
side tue Falshaw' and upon boarding
the officers explained that the Brooklyn
had broken her main shalt and that
other machinery was out OF order. in
addition To this they were very short OF
provisions and asked the Englishman to
assist them. This Captain Bennett did
most liberally, aRd after spending IN
hour or two on the Falshaw tho Ameri-
cans were roWed back 10 the disabled
man.of.war.
The Brooklyn was proceeding under
sail from Honolulu TO New York and
had been at that time 1877 days at sea.
A number Of letters, official and private,
were intrusted TO Captain Bennett, who
mailed them upon his arrival here this
morning, ALI aboard the Brooklyn
were reported as well, and us the ships
parted company, the Yankee tars made
the ocean ring with their cheers for the
Britisher. Captain Bennett says that
he did not learn when the accident be-
fell the Brooklyn, but he is OF the opin-
lon that It must have happened soon
after leaving Honolulu. He says that
she was making but very slow progress,
but Lieutenant Head left him with the
expression that they were fully con.
tented but for the scarcity OF provisions.
These being replenshed from the larder
OF the FalShaw, Lieutenant Head dc.
ollned further offers OF assistance, say
ing that they could make their way un.
der sail to the Brooklyn Navy Yard,
whence they were bound for repairs.
The Lieutenant also reported that the
Brooklyn had encountered three severe
gales, one OF which lasted for three days.
The Brooklyn Is on her way from the
China Station to New York.
Coming right after the Apia disaster
the news OF the Brooklyn's distress
created profound sensation in shipping
circles in this city. The Brooklyn's
passage home was not nm exceptionally
long one, since many sailing VI ssels not
handicapped by any dragging screw, rs
was the Brooklyn, have required as
many as l50 10 100 days. It is very like.
ly that In heavy weather some Of the
provisions may have been spoiled and
the men were compelled to live on bare
hard tack and "salt horse" as Jack calls
salt pork, for those acquainted with the
provisioning Of war ships for long pass.
ages 1t Is known that great quantities Of
fresh provisions are carried in i'm
provised bins on deck. To naval
officers II hardly seems prob.
able that the regular supply
Of rations could have been jeopardlzed.
1t is more likely that the wardroom and
steerages messes ran short OF potatoes
and other Vegetables, which they took
occasion to Eeplenish from some big
merchantmen they sighted on the
route. Very likely, too, the captain Of
the Britisher was induced 10 part with a
greater supply Of ftoothsome fresh vegeta.
bles when the hungry Yankees repre-.
sented how starved they were. Navy
officers understand what it Is TO run
short OF fresh provisions, and come
down 10 "salt junk" AS for flying the
signal Of distress, II was about the only
sure way the Brooklyn could make a
.merchantman rushing along to make a
quick passage. Stop and speak to her,
mud it'Can only be inferred that Captain
Byron Wilson was as hungry for a mess
Of fresh vegetables as any Of his ward.
room officers.