The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-02-10
GONE TO THE RESCUE
Shipwrecked Grew of the Kear-
sarge to Be SuccOred To-Day.
Steamer City of Para Left Colon Yes
terday for ROncador Reef-Details
of the Wreck of the Old Corvette.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.-The Navy De-
partment had word from Lieutenant Brain
ard this aftGrnoon that he sailed this morn
ing from Colon with the City of Para for
the relief of the shipwrecked crew Of the
Kearsarge. The steamship viii return TO
Colon with all on board. The agent Of the
steamship informed the Navy Department
when they applied for the use of her that
she had not finished taking on her cargo
and would have to return to Colon for that
purpose. 1t is about a days trip csc
miles, from Colon to Roncador reef. 1t is
expected, therefore. that the Kearsarge
crew will be safely and comfortably on
board some time tomorrow and will be
back in Colon on Sunday. 1t is expected
that they will come to New York on the
City of Para, when she starts on her regu-
lar trip.
The North Atlantic squadron, of which
the Kearsarge was the flagship. Is now re-
duced to the Miantonomoh and the We
suvius. This depleted condition is due to
the large force ordered to Rio and the abb
sence Of other vessels which are on their
way to the Pacific to take part in the Ber-
ing sea patrol.
Naval authorities in Congress do not con-
strue the wreck of the Kearsarge as any
reflection on the naval policy of the govern
ment in keeping old ships in commission.
Representative Amos Cummings, chairman
of the House committee on naval affairs,
said: Both the Kearsarge and Hartford
were kept in service as a matter of senti-
ment The public would not listen to their
being condemned and broken UT. They
were kept on duty just as Great Britain
keeps the old ship Victor of Nelson. At
the present time the naval committee has
an nzfin0afa cyrpO TING S1kl ln for i'm
Iroving and undermining the old Hartford.
OF this, $150, 600 is for new batteries, S150.000
for new machinery and SlOO,OtO Tor repairs
TO the hull. 1t would practically amount
to making the old ship over again, and
there would be no justification for much
patch work if it were not for the popular
sentiment for preserving Farragut's old
flagship" Mr.. Cummings pointed out how
tenderly the law making appropriations for
the navy dealt with the Kearsarge and
Hartford. The law specifies that no re
pairs shall be made to wooden vessels II
the repairs exceed 10 per cent of the cost
OF a new ship of the same size, but there is
this proviSo: That nothing herein con-
tanned shall deprive the Secretary sof the
Navy of authority to cause the necessary re-
pairs and preservation OF the United states
ships Hartford and Kearsarge. The same
exception is made by law as to the ma
chinery of the Kearsarge and Hartford.
They are, therefore, the only vessels in the
navy which can be repaired and furnished
with new machinery without reference 10
their condition. They are pets and pension
erS OF the navy and are not SuSIdlneu
through any desire of economy.
The last naval disaster suffered by the
United States was the loss of the Dispatch
off Assategue shoals, Virginia Oct, 10, 1891.
No lives were lost at that time. In fact,
the United States has been notably free
of disasters involving great loss of life COM
pared with other navies Of the world The
Huron went to pieces off Oregon inlet.
North Carolina, during a terrible hurricane
Nov. q. 1877. and 14 lives were lost The
most notable disaster in which the United
States have been involved was the hurri-
cane at Samoa, in which the Trenton, Van
dalia and Nipsic were wrecked and 145 lives
in all lost. This included the loss from all
vessels at Apia. The disaster occurred
March Is. 1889, and three German ships also
were lost. on Feb. Is. 1888. the Ashuelot
went ashore on a rock off the coast OF
China and eleven men were lost.
1t is expected that the loss Of the Kear-
sarge will result in the placing of a light
on Roncador bank-a result the United
States Navy Department has earnestly
sought to bring about for several years,
but without result, owing to the wish of
this government that other nations bear a
share in the expenses.