Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-09

This had no effect In the direction Of
causing the ship to stand up. The next
move to save the vessel from going clear
over on her beam ends was to cut away
the masts, it being evident that 1t would
be impossible to furl the sails in season
to relieve the enormous pressure OF the
wind that was bearing down on the canvas
with such weight that II was a question Of
only a few minutes before the ship would
capsize.
Telling the Masts.
The men worked willingly and with all
the dispatch possible under the circum-
stances, attacking the fore. main and miz-
zen rigging at the same time. All the time
tbs axes were being welded heavy seas
were breaking over the decks and 4; was
with the greatest difficulty that the men
at work prevented themselves from being
washed overheard or dashed to death
against the masts or bulwarks.
So nicely was the chopping timed that
the three masts went crashing by the board
at the same instant. and as soon as the
rattle was cleared away the ship in a
measure righted, but only to be dashed
further up on the reef. where she pounded
and ground herself in way to convince
everybody on board that the man who
would live TO tell the story must leave the
ship and that speedily. But the man who
would attempt to leave the ship while such
a terrific. sea was running that night would
simply commit suicide.
The Ship ON Fire.
When the Kearsarge went over after
striking the reef. she went SO far that the
banked fires in the furnaces were thrown
out. and scattering about in all directions.
set fire to the ship. so that in addition
to being exposed to the savage waves, the
merciless reef, the dipping vessel was
in danger of being burned and blown up.
Urged by the desperation of the situa-
ton everybody board that could be
spared from on deck manfully attacked
the flames, and after a short. sharp fight,
succeeded in extinguishing the blaze before
1t reached the magazine.
After the fire was extinguished and masts
cut away, there was nothing to do but
await an opportunity to get ashore.
At daylight the boats were lowered, and
the short but dangerous trip over the reefs
and through treacherous surf was At
tempted. 1t was accomplished with the
greatest imaginable difficulty; and after
many narrow escapes all hands eventually
succeeding in reaching shore in safety.
On the Desert Isle.
Provisions were thrown overheard be-
fore abandoning the ship. in the hope that
they would wash ashore to be plucked from
the surf, provided anybody got ashore alive.
| As soon y as the officers and crew were
landed. a camp was established on the islet
Of Koncador. and enough food to last
month was picked up. but no fresh water
was procurable.
Lieut.. Brainard volunteered to select
crew and start for the island OF Old Prov
idence, ninety miles southwest of the scene
Of the wreck. He left on the morning Of
the 4th instant and reached Old Providence
on the morning of the 5th. He Immediately
sailed from Old Providence on q schooner
for Colon, go miles south. He arrived at
Colon Wednesday night.
Lieut.. Brainard reported that at the time
he left Roncador the kearsarge was fast
going to pieces. He reported that the Kear-
sarge's company could not reach Old Prov
idence, and that they were in need of i'm
mediate assistance.