Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-28
STRUCK In THE NIGHT.
Lieutenant COwles Tells His Story Of
the Wreck Of the Despatch.
IT WAS INDEED A SORRY SIGHT.
How the Course of the Vessel Came to Be
Changed Before Day.
THE ESCAPE FROM THE SINKING BOAT

WASHINGTON, Oct. q. - Lieutenant
Cowles, of the wrecked Despatch, to-day
read a statement before the court of inquiry
that is trying him for the loss of the boat, of
what happened on board. He says: CAT
7:04 P. NJ of October we passed close to
Five Fathoms bank light, and set course
from there s. 24o W. Wrote night orders
and sent them to the officer of the deck in
person. was up and about some time
after that and saw Fenwick Hghtship and
schooner we were clearing. went to my
forward cabin and turned in to get some
much needed rest, for 1 had been on deck
since daylight and had been little anxious
about the weather considering the we'll
known condition of the vessel and the time
of the year, but the appearances were no
more threatening than before and the sunset
had been fine if little brassy 1 expected
to be called for winter quarter or when
anything was seen Gas in night orders), and
if winter quarters were not seen had set
safe course for the night. My bunk is
within few feet of the helmsman and
officer of the day.
AWAKENED BY THE SHIP STRIKING.
81 was awakened at about 2:50 A. M. by
the ship striking something heavily. My
first idea was that of collision, as I knew
where my course would take me, but as
was hurrying on deck the vessel striking a
second time assured me of the fact that it
was the bottom. 1 found the ship backing.
saw red light on the starboard beam,
and 1 said to Lieutenant Mulligan, who had
the deck:
"FWhy was I not called?'
"1 was just going to send for you, be-
cause was changing course from winter
quarter down, for 1 was sure this was win
ter quarter light and the Quartermaster
said he could see the hull and spars through
the glass. he replied.
''The red light turned out to be ASA
league. 1 saw breakers astern and soon all
about. 1 asked Mr.. Noel, who soon came
on deck, What did you change the course
for?'
"He replied, Because / was sure that
light was the winter quarter shoal light; it
shows red
'T asked, How many did you head her
in?'
'sHe replied. To $50 W. and S. 400, be-
cause the light was points on the bow,
and L thought it was winter quarter, and
that we had been set out by tide.
NOT MUCH TIME FOR WORDS.
"Our words were few, for the ship was in
peril, and had to see to her All hands
had landed about II A. NJ, and just in time.
for she then laid over on her port bilge, and
her port gangway was full of water. L then
made a final inspection of the ship alone,
going down into the ward room, where the
water was rising fast, and, crawling through
hole cut in the ward room forward
bulkhead, 1 passed through the engine room
and into the fire room, where the
water was putting out the furnace
fire. l then visited the berth
deck and found the forehold full of water.
Isthen went into the cabin, which had been
flooded again and again by the vessel back
ing into broken water, and it was COM
plete wreck. left the colors and pennant
flying 1t was sad sight. L lowered my
self over the starboard side abaft the fore
rigging into the boat, Lieutenant Mulligan,
who had done a hard nights work, immedi-
ately preceding me, all other officers and
men having left the ship
When Lieutenant Cowles finished the
reading of the narrative the officers and men
were asked, one by one, if they had objec-
tions to make to the Commanders state
ment, or anything to lay to the charge of
any officer or man on the vessel In each
case the reply was in the negative.