The morning call., 1894-02-10
MAGNIFICENT DISCIPLINE.
The Crew of the Kearsarge Was
Well Under Control.

4NEW Ohh, EtDs D lie I1tGuIu GUIOn
special says: Further particulars con-
cernibg the wreck Of the Kearsarge show
that magnificent discipline was main
tanned on board during the terrible scene
that followed her striking on the reef. 1t
was about O'clock in the evening Of Feb
ruary that the cathead lookout reported
breakers ahead and on the port bow.
The ship was then steaming at half
power, and was under topsals, foresail.
jib and spanker, going with nearly beam
wind Oh the starboard tack. making about
a ten-knOt speed.
On hearing the hail "Bleakers ahead
and on the port bow" the officer OF the
deck ordered the helm hard apOrt. but it
was too late to escape the reef, and in an
instant the ship struck with a force that
Jared her from stem TO stern. and brought
every soul On deck except those whose
proper stations were below.
The engines were at once backed and
simultaneously the sails were clewed up
and men set aloft to furl them. Then the
topgallant yards were sent down, followed
Immediately by the topgaIlant mosts.
While these duties were being rapidly
yet thoroughly done. the ship was pound
ing terribly on the reef, the seas being
heavy enough to lift her and let her down
with tremendous force. 1t was useless to
think of saving her. and all efforts were
devoted TO saving The ships company.
The further in shore she drove the less
she would feel the waves. Che main pen
dant tackles were hooked into slings under
the historic 11-inch quarterback gun.
which had been pivoted TO port. and it was
hoisted overheard to tighten the ship.
Lieutenant Walling had this duty, with
Cadet Srtt as his assistant.
To tighten her forward the captain
ordered Lieutenant Hood to cut away the
foremast. The lanyards and weather
shrouds were cut. and before the mast was
wholly cut through above deck it crashed
over the side, carrying with it, as was ex-
pected. the maintopmast and maintopsail
yard.
By this time the sea had forced the vessel
further up on the reef and she lay on her
port bilge. The waves were running very
high and breaking over the poop deck and
nearly submerged her port rail.
Attempts were made TO lessen the break
ing of the heavy sea by the use of oil over
the stern. the effect being pereeptible by
the time the waves had run as far forward
as the malnmast.
Owing to the sharp careen TO port, fire
broke out in the boiler-room. some of the
burning coal having been thrown out of
the furnaces. First Lieutenant Ingate of
the marine corps led party of volun teers
below, and in spite Of the smoke and the
terrible iurchIDg and striking of the yes
sci, succeeded in putting out the flames.
AS 1t was impossible to tell how long the
ship would hold together Lieutenant Hood
got party OF petty officers and seamen al
work making RATS out of small spars, lad
ders and gratiDgs, and provisions were
brought up on the forecastle from the
hold.
All night long the grinding and crashing
of the hull on the reef went on, and great
beams and live oak frames could be heard
Swapping into kindling wood as the shir
pounded and plunged.
! 1t was a terrible night. AS the hull
yielded to the blows and the waves swept
higher and higher it became necessary to
abandon the after part of the vessel al.
together, and the men crowded beneath the
forecastle, wet, weary and bruised, and
waited for morning.
At daybreak fire was started in thes gal
ley and all hands had hard biscuit and
coffee. Then they went TO work to get
ashore. The gig was lowered and a volun.
teer crew under Coxswain P. Deerey tried
to take line ashore through the surf.
" hen the boat had nearly reached the
shore the waves were so heavy that il was
necessary to cut the line to save the boat
from being swamped. The gig then an
chored just outside tho last line Of break
ers and line was fioated ashore on q
grating.
Deerey and the gigs crew got ashore
and made fast the line TO solid piece OF
sunken coral.
The first cutter and second cutter had
been swept away from their davits and
stove. and the steam launch was success
fully put overheard. but was then stove In
and sunk by the butt of the foremast,
which was still floating alongside.
The sailing launch and the third cutter
were lowered on the lee side in good con-
ditlOn. and Lieutenant Brainerd took a
volunteer crew in the sailing launch and
pulled for the beach. getting through the
breakers by aid Of beach line already
secured by the gigs crew.
The third cutter. commanded by Ensign
5AHNNA, oioO kOt oobOtO W Hautlpk On
| the beach line.
Lieutenant BraiDsrd took charge of the
party on the beach and collected every.
thing that came ashore.
All kinds of canned provisions were
lashed to gratings. ladders and light spars
and were thrown overheard from the ship
surf carried them up the beach, where they
were picked up and slowed in boats.
The whaleboat soon afterward came
ashore with eight men, and at last the
life-saviDg balsa, or catamaran, was rig ged
with double hauling lines and was pulled
back and forth between the ship and
shore. landing six or eight men each time.
Ensigns Gates and Magruder and Lieu.
ten ant Brainerd, with some of their men,
waded into the surf and helped each party
to shore.
Commander Heterman and Lieutenan,
For5e were the last to leave the ship
When all were landed a camp was formed
although they had no shade and no shelter
The key is about 800 feet long by 300 fee,
wide. and consists of coral formation with
little or no vegetable growth.
The most serious deficiency is lack OF