The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-09-14
WHY IT WAS ABANDONED.
First Officer Croweu Tells About the
Inspection Of the City ofsavannah.


Inspection OF the City ofSavannah.
First Officer Crowell Of the City of Sa-
vannah, who was left in charge of the
wreck with two seamen after the passen-
gers had been taken off, was in the city
yesterday, having returned from Hunting
Island
He has been stopping on Hunting Island
with Principal Keeper Kanehl of the
Hunting Island light ever since the vessel
was wrecked and has kept a guard
on her. From all reports, however, it
seems that she was not worth guar ding
The Merritt Wrecking Company's
steamer COley arrived there some days
ago and remained, he says just week.
While they were there Mr., CroweQ was
aboard the boat with them all the time.
A thorough inspection of the hull of the
vessel was made and it was found that
it had become buried in the sand and that
the lower part of the hull had become
partially filed with sand. The sides of
the hull had been stove in and sand had
covered everything in the lower part of
the hull to such an extent that they
found it would be impossible to raise her
at any reasonable cost.
When this had been determined by the
Wrecking crew, they determined to re-
move a part of the cargo from the vessel,
but found it impossible to obtain more
than a few boxes and barrels. The rest
Of the cargo down in the hold had also
become covered with sand. and it was all
under water. The steamer had a diver
with her, and a thorough examination of
all parts of the vessel was made When
it was determined that it would be i'm
practicable to raise her, the wrecl1ing
steamer proceeded at once to Beaufort,
from where they wired the wrecldng
company. The underwriting agents in
New York We're then notified, and the
news of the abandonment of the wreck
was wired to Savannah last Tuesday, the
same day that the crew decided to give
herup First Officer Croweu then left
the wreck and came to Savannah by way
of Beaufort
He said last night that he had stopped
with the lighthouse-keeper while he was
guarding the wreck, and that during the
night he remained on shore, going out TO
her only in the day time. He says Keeper
Kanehl Of the lighthouse did everything
in has power for him while he was there,
and that any reports that Mr.. Kanehl
did not at all times render all the assist
ance in his power to the wrecked pass
engers and crew are false. Mr. Kanehl
deserves the thanks of the entire COM
munity for his services and his efforts to
render the distressed people assistance.
First Officer Crowell was in charge of
the life boat that left the wreck on Tues
day morning and landed on Hunting
Island. There Were twelve in this boat,
about half of whom were lady passengers.
Mr. Crowell has received the highest
praise from every one in that life boat
for the excellent manner in which he
handled it. He landed it on shore
through the surf and got all the ladies
up On the beach without so much as get
ting their feet wet.
MIR. Croweu has been a seaman all his
life and his excellent services in the en-
ploy OF the Ocean Steamship Company
have been appreciated He leaves Savan-
nah for New York Friday on the Ma
coochee, where he viii report to Gen
Sorrel, and viii probably go on one of the
steamers of the New York line at once.