Morning journal and courier., 1894-02-22
KEARsARGE CREW IN PORT.

Their Arrival In New York I'm q Destf.
tute Condftfon-Adm stanton,s
story OF the Loss OF the Old Ship
The Experience on the Rsef-No
Hope for the ship.
NEW YORK, Feb. 2l.-The City of Para
arrived this noon from Colon, bringing the
officers and crew of the United States
steamer Kesrssrge, which on February 2
was wrecked on Roneador Reef in the
Caribbean sea. The steamer on her arrival
at her pier at the foot of Canal street was
welcomed by q crowd Of several hundred
persons esger to see the Kesrsarge men.
A large American flag hung over the pass
enger gangway and two streamers of various
flags attached to the flag pole of the dock
shed gave further ceremonial to the return
of the shipwrecksd men. st-Commsnder
of the Kesrssrge Crowinshield, General
John Newton, president of the Columbian
line, and several others welcomed the re-
turn home OF the men.
All were glad to return hons, from the
admiral down. They are sll In Q sorry
condition. so far as personal effects are
concerned. On the steamer one half of
them were without overcoats and they
shivered in the cold. They have lost
everything except what they had on their
backs. Some had not even so much the
ecsnt apparel they wore to-day belonging
to others. Lieutenant Brainard had on
pair of DIR. Bsrnum's ehoes. The hope was
general that congress would reimburse the
men.
Admiral Stanton, when asked, described
he fA thaa -ayda. tsWA yrsnt
ashore on the evening of February 2 at
about 7 o'clock The wind was blowing a
fresh trade from the northeast and the SEES
was very rough Commander Heyermsn
and were standing on the poop when the
vessel grounded. We knew only that we
were somewhere near the reef. Some of
us were sure we had psssed 1t. At any
rate, we were In the dark, not only men
tally, but physically. It was impossible
to see the breakers, and they, being to the
wind ward, we're not audible to rs. The
steamer struck easily, and 1t was at first
supposed that we would get off without
difficulty. One half of our people were
on deck at the time. All were immediate
ly put to work. But the ship began to roll
very much, and to prevent all of us from
being spilled out the foretopmast was cut,
which carried away the maintopmsst and
soon became evident that It was all up with
the ship, although she did not leak for
several hours. We all stayed on board,
howes er. during the night, preparing
RATS, cutting away masts and sail, and
making other preparations for departure.
No one was hurt seriously, only two men
being bruised AT break of day we launched
our cstamsrsn and began transferring the
crew to the Kay The launching was If
fected in heavy surf with difficulty and
only eight men could be taken at time.
A rops from the steamer to the Kay guild
ed the ostsmsrsn. 1t was not until 2
O'Clock that the last of Us lefs the steamer.
Commander Heyerman was the last to go
on the Kay which, by the way, Is .200x
800 feet In area. We put up tents from an
old awning that we took along. and dug q
we'll, for we could take only 200 gallons of
water with u.s. We lived In the best way
We could. The men caught fish and birds
and we lad plenty of -four and pickles
from the steamer.
1.-THE day we landed at the Kay the sail
ing launch Of the steamer was fitted out to
go to Old Providence TO give news of our
plight. Lieutenant Brsinsrd was put In
charge. He had with him eight seamen
and Naval Cadet Stitt. Old Providence is
eighty miles away, and 1t was intended
that Lieutenant Brsinard should proceed
from there's still on the launch to Colon.
He took small schooner, however, at Old
Providence. While awaiting his return
with assistance several trips were made to
the Kearsarge The hull was examined,
and most damage was found to BIS near this
boilers. The hull was pretty we'll Knocked
out. The steamer when last seen was we'll oct
of water, living in water only seven feet deep;
she draws fifteen feet She lies disgopslly
scross the reef. We were proceeding under
full steam and sail, and were making eight
miles an hour when the ship struck.
1.-The Para came to us on Saturday, Feb
rusry 10. at $50 o'clock In the morning,
and we were relieved to see her."
Commander Heyermsn's story was prsc
tically the same as that of Admiral Stan
ton. His was the only watch that did not
sop because of the wetting that the men
received in trying to land from q cstsms-
ran. In consequence great care was OBJ
served to ste that this watch was kept
going.
Lieutenant Brsinard said the wind and
the current were responsible in the main
for the lois of the ship.
ADMIRAL STANTON IN NEW LONDON.
NEW LONDON, Feb. 21.-Admirsl Stan
ton, q. 8. N, who returned on the City of
Para, which brought the crew of the
wrecked corvette Kearssrge to day, arrived
here at $40 this evening. His daughters
and son-in-lsw met him at the station and
the party proceeded directly to Admiral
Stanton's home.