Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-21
Return of the Kearsarge Officers and
Crew.
WRECK OF THE VESSEL DESCRIBED
Rescue of the Men on Roncador
Reef.
ARRIV AL OF THE PARA

the wrecked kearsarge on board, arrived
at the Pacific mail dock shortly after noon
today. The dock was gaily decorated with
flags. and over the gang-plank was spread
a huge Amer ian flag in honor of the cffi-
GERS and crew of the Kearsarge large
number Of the f1'>rds and relatives of the
naval men of he Ke4-sarge were on the
pie to greet the wreck al men, while a still
larger crowd surg a in the street, all cram
Ing their necks for view of the sailors
reporter Of the Associated Press, who
boarded the vessel at quarantine. talked
With some Of the crew and officers of the
kearsarge, Vho related the story of the
wreck of the ia s,,,.s old man-of-war on
Roncador reef
Acting Admiral Oscar Stanton. who was
first seen by the reporter gave the follow
ing account Of the wreck of his flagship:
The accident occurred at about . o'clock
on the afternoon Of February 2" said Ad-
miral Stanton. "A stiff northeast fresh
trade wind was blowing and there was a
considerable surf. The Nearsarge struck
rather lightly at first and then there was
a heavy jar and a crash, when the ship
went up high and dry on the reef
I'VE remained pm board the kearsarge
that night and were taken ashore the next
day. The City Of Para did not come until
a
the time We went ashore on Roncador Is
land
'All hands were taken of the Kearsarye
on the catamaran boat. after working all
night in order to get the engines ready
Tor our departure from our ship We sent
the catamaran boat ashore about day
break
After we reached the shore We gath
cred together some old sails. awnings and
duck. with which we rugged up a tent to
shelter us. The weather was quite warm
enough to make such a tent sufficiently
comfortable. To increase the small supply
of water We were enabled to carry with
Us from the Kearsarge we dug a we'll
We also had what provisions We could
save from the ship.
I'VE had built RATS during the night
and early Saturday morning, in order to
transport what things We could take away
from the ship. together with our eight
days supply Of water. which permitted
supply of one pint a day for each man.
There was no excitement. no panic" but
everybody was cool-headed and the officers
and crew all united in an effort to make
the best of the situation.
Lieut.. Brainard went to Colon as soon
as possible in the steam launch of the Kear-
sarge in order to communicate with the
Navy Department at Washington and char
ter steamer to come to our aid.
Every one who was aboard the Kear-
sarge. both officers and men. are with me-
with the exception OF DR.. Barnum, who was
detached to the coast survey steamer Ran
ger at Acajutla.'
There are 81 officers and Isl men, max
ing up 2O2 in all, and are all well. The
kearsarSe carried eight boats Three Of
these on the port side were stove in and one
OF them was washed away.
Drowning of Robbins.
Anderson Robbins. one of the men. was
drowned shortly after the wreck. The ship
was rapidly filling with water and Robbins
was swimming for the reef. but he could
not make it, anu was drowned. This &C.
CURED the day landed.
ain going ashore they were compelled to
go in parties Of six. the capacity of the
cataraman. which was held fast by a life
line which was stretched from the kear-
sarge to the shore. When discovered
Fireman Anderson Robbins struggling in
the water We dispatched lieutenant and
seven men in life boat to his assistance
and made every effort to save him, but he
sank before could reach him
After We had gotten safely ashore, Lieut..
Brainerd and seven men were dispatched
in life boat to Old Providence in order to
secure assistance. The city of Para, which
he chartered. did not reach us until IL O'Clock
the 10th. She Immediately launched two
boats which, assisted by the kearsarges
four life boats. took all the hands on board
yAen the latter steamed for Colon, stop
pAg on the way at Old Providence to pick
up the lieutenant and crew. which had been
sent by Commander Heyerman to SEND US
assistance"
Cause of the Wreck.
In answer to a question 20 the cause
of the accident. whether due, as has been
rumOred. to defective chronOmeters or
otherwise. Admiral Stanton sail:
Il cannot say anything in regard to the
matter of responsibility for the wreck of
the KearsarSe. and therefore cannot ex-
press any opinions as to whether the wreck
of the ship was due to carelessness or de
fective instruments or to any one on board
the kearsarge.
Il presume there will be a court of inquiry
to investigate into all this, when the facts
will be fully developed. The whole thing
will come out in due course Of time, but
what the nature of the court of inquiry will
be when cOnven ed cannot say.
Anyhow" continued Admiral Stanton,
81 feel inclined to say little as possible
about this matter because of the peculiar
misfortune which mas seemed to follow me
of late. / have had sufficient nOtoriety al
ready. this being the second time / have
arrived in New York harbOr under almost
similar circumstances within a short time. d"
Il am feeling very happy and my physical
condition, and | might say mental condi-
ton. is just a trihe better than on the &C.
casiOn Of my last trip up New York bay"
Admiral Stanton. well as all the Off
GERS and crew of the Kearsarge. wore their
naval uniforms. Some of them wore over
coats. few capes. while a good many were
not fortunate as to have the former
81 rejoice greatly in the possession of this
overcoat | am wearing said Admiral
Stanton; land / really do not know exactly
where l got hold OF it. 1t has felt very
comfortable since We got up north and into
the cold weather. The clothing I have on
embraces about all there is left of my ward
robe. as it was impossible to save very
much after the wreck occurred
In answer to question as to the posi-
biity Of raising and saving the Kearsarge.
Admiral Stanton said: There is no possible
chance of saving her. she was all stove
when she struck the reef, and when We left
her she was almost full of water. Even if
this were not the case, the weather is such
down there that it is very difficult to work
on account OF the intense heat and blister
ing sun"