The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-02-09

WASHINGTON, D. O., Feb. S.-Thc
United States steamer Kearaarga was
wrecked on Roncadore Roof February 9.
The officers and crew were sayed. The
news reached tho navy department to.
dry In despatch which came from
Colon. 1t was sent by lieutenant
Brainard, OF tho Kcatsargo, who
reached Colon February s. Tho Kear'
sarge, by last report, sailed from Hayti
for Blue Fields, Nicaragua, to which 1t
was ordered on account Of tho trouble
between Nicaragua and Honduras. 1t
10 supposed that tho vessel Ia n total
wreck, but fortunately there appears to
have boon no loss Of life. Tho vessel
was one OF tho oldest in tho navy, and
had splendid history.
Roncadore reef is al!ttle over Two hun.
dred miles from tho Mosquito coast Of
Central America. Between tho coast
and tho reef lies Old Province island,
only scventy.fvo or eighty miles to leo
ward OF the rect. II Is believed Mt tho
navy department TINT the. officers and
crew would be able to reach Old Prov
ince without difficulty in case they wero
In danger OF their livos on the roof, and
It is believed that they would DO sale on
tho reef except In the event OF rough
weather. 1t Is the impression also at
tho department that the kearsarcc has
not gone to pieces and may not do 80
for somo time unless rough weather
comes up, although the tides and cur
rents about the reef are swift and dan
gerous. immediately upon receipt Of
the nows OF the wreck the navy depart
ment sent cable dispatch to Lieu.
Brainard, ut Colon, ordering him to
churter steamer and proceed at once
10 tho relief Of the shipwrecked crew.
IS 1t is conjectured that tho Kearaarge
went aground on the reef at night and
foundorcd. Lieutenant Brainard seems
to have got aboard n small boat md
succeeded in getting 10 Colon In six
days. Tho relief can reach the ship
wrecked mon in less time than that.
Tho greatest day i'll the history OF the
KearHargo was June 10, 1864, whom she
fought aud conquered the rebel ship
Alabama. The Kearsarge was built NJ
tho Portsmouth,navy yard, Now Hamp-
shire. in 1861, and her machinery was
constructed by Woodruff & Breach, OF
Hartford, Conn.
Tho chief oil the bureau OF navigation
4 had u reply from Lieutenant Brainard
at Colon about noon saying that the
} City OF Para was available to go after
the crew. He was instructed to other
I charter a steamer or secure one OF the
regular mail steamers to New York, or
il ono OF the latter was to start imme-
dlately on her regular trip, to secure
her to touch at Roncador and take up
the crew. He was in fact given discre-
ton to do what is necessary to insure
I greatest speed in getting relief to the
men OF tho kearsarge.
The crew was composed OF two hun
drcd sailors and marines. She left the
Brooklyn navy yard on December 81.
The number OF officers was 81. !.
The navigation OF 4 naval vessel rests
entirely with her COMMANDER and his
assistants, and tho admiral never inter
feres In tho matter. llc directslhe gen
eral movements of tho flagship from
Z place to place. but leaves the details Of
routes and management Of tho ship en-
tirely to the commanding officer.
Therefore it would appear MS though
Commander Hcyermnn will be hold re.
sponsible for tho loss OF tho vessel aud
on him will deyolve the task OF showing
that tho accident was unavoidable. He
will look to the officers OF the deck q.
the time Of the wreck for comploto
explanation OF the circumstances. Ex'
actiy who WINS at fault will not be
4 known here until tho fuller details have
N Eeen recciyed