Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-11
GOING TO PIECES.
THE U. 8. STEAMER DESPATCH
AGROUND ON AssATeAoUE SHOALS.
Her Omcsrs and Grow Landed ssfsiy-
How the Wreck Occurrsd-History
Of the Vessel.
rBy telegraph TO tho Dlspstch-l

BAIrrxoRr, October 10.-Thc United
States steamer Despatch went ashore last
night in heavy gale on Assateague shoals
of the east coast of Virginia about sixty
miles northeast of Cape Charles. As the
sboals stretch out to sea for many miles
and the ship struck on the outside IT is not
known exactly in how much peril she ana
her crew are. At present it is Impossible
20 reach the ship from shore.
HOW THE WRECK OCCURRED.
Nyw Yong. October i0-The Despatch
,oft New York Yesterday bound out for
Washington. ID. C. She was under the
command of Lieutenant w. Il. Cowles. OF
the navy. and had full complement or
men on board. Immediately after leaving
New York bay tho steamship ran into foul
weather. There was bad wind and an
ucly sea was running. 1t was decided 20
keep the steamship under the coast anu
thus to escape any bad weather tpat
might have been kicked up further out Dy
Tho hurricane from Bermuda. which was
making things disagreeaDle and dangerous
IN the Atlantic. A bad fog came up with
nlchtfall and 50 the Despatch slowed down
considerably, although even at that she
was going at fair speed. The weather
continued to grow worse, and wnen the
vessel struck II was blowing. it is reported.
quite mean gale. The sea was running
high with decided landswell.
SHE STRUCK HEAD on.
The vessel struck, it is reported. head
on. The shock came some time on TOWARD
midnight. Immediately the sea swept her
about with broadsides on TO the snoais.
The Despatch's commander Immediately
LET 90 the anchors but they did not strike
until after the waves had beat her wen
upon the shoals. 1t is impossible TO say
now what damage was done to the De-
snatch. Communication with the Vessei -
d;fficrIt and almost impossible. A bad
sea ia reported as still running. and there
is still danger that she may be worked up
further inshore. The wind Is also report
cd against her from the north-northeast.
II IL impossible TO reach the vessel from
the shore, but it is hoped that communi-
cation with her by means OF ssea-golns
tugs from Philadelphia will soon be estao-
lshod. Until then it will be impossible 10
saw how her commander lost his bearings
and permitted her to go ashore.
TIE WRECK TOTAL.
Irwps. DEL. October l0.-The United
States steamer Despatch. ashore on ASA
league shoals, is totally wrecked, All the
crew are safely landed and housed on the
beach.
PAST GOING TO PIECES.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., October 1o.-Ihe
superintendent of the life-saving service
tonight received a telegram from the
k,eper of tie life-saying station at ASA
toarue. Va, saving the United States
steamer Despatch was brOaiside-on on the
shoals and fast going to pieces. Her ON
GERS and crew were landed safely and are
now beng cared for bv the lIfe-saying
men. The Despatch left the New YORK
navy-yard Yesterday, and was on her way
| 10 this city. where sne was to take on
| board the President Secretary Tracy. and
some officers of the navy and convey them
TO the naval proving grounds down the
| Potomac to witness experiments IN
| testing some of the armor-plates tor
use In the armament of the new vessels.
| She was expected to arrive here Monday,
and after taking the President down the
rlyer was TO have been probably placed
ont Of commission, as she ~ old and IN
much need If repairs. 1t Is impossible TO
learn here any particulars attending the
vessels going ashore, but it ia surmised
by naval officers that in her endeavors "a
| hug tho coast closely TO avoid the heavy
gallo she got too close in shore and when
| her position was discovered 1t was toe
| late TO work of with northeast wind
driving her shoreward.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION or The VESSEL.
The Despatch has been used for years
"a a dispatch boat for the President and
Secretary Of the Navy, and when not en-
ployed III this capacity has been used &c
convey stores and ammunition 10 and
from the navy-yards along the coast. She
was built in 1874, and was some years later
purchased by the Government from Henry
| 9. Smith. q new York stock broker and
yachtsman, for Se3,0OO and after.
wards remodelled for the purpose bel
name indicates. Her length was ia
feet, beam 2jl5 feet. with tonnage
OF 500 tons and mean draught OF thirteen
feet. Her speed was about twelve and d
hall knots an hour. Her battery con.
| sisted OF one three-inch breech-loadins
rife, used mainly for saluting purposes
Her officers were Lieutenant W.. 5. Cowles
| commanding; Lieutenants York, Noel
| and Il. T. Mulligan; Paylnaster Heap. In
| ginoor Ogden, and Passed-Assistart Gate.
wood. with crew of seventy-fve men.
| The Despatch was soon to have been IA
placed by the Dolphin, now fitting out a
| Norfolk as u dispatch boat.