Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-02-22
CREW OF TINE KEARsARGE.
All Hands Arrive at New York-1he Story Of
the Wreck.

/ new YORK, Feb. 2l.-Rear Admiral
Stanton and 10 officers and ls2 men of the
Inflated United States steamship Kesrsarge,
/ arrived at quarantine this morning on the
steamer City of Para sitter seven days pas
sage from Colon. Admiral Stanton readily
talked of the disaster, although carefully
avoiding any statements that might incrim-
mate anybody or give reason for the acct
dent. These. said he, were matters for the
investigating board.
! All we're given hearty welcome by The
large crowd of relatives and friends who
had assembled at the pier. The sailors
were conveyed to the Brooklyn navy yard.
The men were sorry looking lot, most of
them without sufficient clothing to protect
them from the strong north wind sweeping
the deck. Very few could be foupd who
wore full sailors uniform. The men
were all we'll and glad to get home.
When they arrived at the navy yard an
aJmirars salute of Is guns was fired in Ad-
mral Stantons honor and the crew
Immediately taken to the receiving
ship Vermont where they were
given hearty dinner and soon
after fitted out with new clothes. The sail
ors were then stationed on the guardshp
and the officers given an indefinite leave OF
absence.
When interviewed, the officers of the
Kearsarge showed deposition to be reticent
REGARD g the particulars Of the loss of the
ship. They explained that as the matter is
! to be made the subject of an official in
quiry, it was not proper for them to talk.
They spoke freely of their experiences
after the wreck.
Itwas7 p NJ. Feb. 2. when the Kear-
sarge struck on Roncador reef. A fresh
northeast wind was blowing, with moder-
ate sea. Admiral Stanton, Capt. o. +. IIeyer-
man and several other officers were on
deck. Hardly had the breakers been heard
ahead than the vessel struck. Futile Efforts
we're male to back off. All hands were at
once put to work to prevent her sliding off
and laundering. Shortly after the vessel
began leaking. The heavy guns were
thrown overheard and to case the strain on
the hull the masts we're cut away.
All night long every man was kept at
work in making preparations to get off
In the meantime the breakers came over
the decks, carrying away the steam launch
and other movable things before washing
down below decks. Before morning the
officers rooms were full of water, and as
clothes were the last things. thought Of,
many were left with hardly rag to their
backs.
Admiral Stanton said there was IL feet
of water under the stern of the Kears1g
as she rested on the reef The hull was
pretty we'll knocked out. He did not think
anything could be done to save her.
Lieut.. Brainard said the wind and current
was responsible in the main for the loss of
the chip. None of the officers would say
who was in command of the ship at the time
she went ashore, and who was the first OFF,
Ger of the deck.
1t was said by the sailors that Com
mander Heyerman was in charge at the
time, and Lieut.. Brainard was first officer
on deck. No one was on the bridge at the
time, the sailors said.
As soon as it was light enough to see
kedge anchor was carried ashore and
hawser made fast to hold the ship upon the
reef. This hawser was rove through
pulley and a systematic effort was at once
made to land all hands in boat with a line
fast to block which travelled on the haw-
ser. A strong northeast trade wind was
blowing steadily at the time, but nothing
extraordinary. The boat could carry only
six men at time and consequently it took
considerable time to land all hands.
Provisions, water casks and canvass to
build temporary shelter were brought on
shore, and preparations were at once made
to ret sleeping quarters. Under the d.
rection of the officers the men were told off
to different kinds of work. Seamen and
marines contrived impromptu tents, while
others built fires and made ready
for the cooks. A we'll was also dug
and supply of fresh water provided
for. There was but one accident of
fatal nature. Fireman Andrew Robin,
while wsdiug around in the shallow water.
fell into deep hole and was drowned, al
though every effort was made to save him.
lieutenant and seven men were dis
eratched in lifeboat to Old Providence for
aid and the remainder of the crew awaited
suecor in comparative comfort. On the
10th, just 10 days after the accident, the
CITY of Para hove ia sight, "and the work of
taking eff the wrecked men was at once
begun. Thi, was safely accomplished with
out incident and q start was made for
Colon. But few of the effects of either
officers or men we're saved. When last
seen the famous old frigate was hove down
on one side, with several large holes visible
in her bottom.