The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-02-10
A Pacific Mail Steamer Sent 80 Take OF
the Men.

WAsHissTos CRY, Feb. a-The navy de-
partmsnt had word from Lieut.. Brainard
this afternoon that he sailed this morning
from Colon with the City of Para for the
relief Of the shipwrecked crew Of the kear-
sargs. The steamship will return TO Colon
with all hands. The agent Of the steam
ship informed tho navy department. when
they applied for the nss Of her that she
had not finished taking on cargo, and
would have to return to Colon for that pur-
pose. 1t is about days trip, $50 miles.
from Colon to Roncador reef. 1t is ex-
pected, therefore, that the Kcar argos
crew will be safely and comfortably on
board some time tomorrow, and will be
back in Colon Sunday. II is expected that
they will come to New York on the City of
Para when she starts on her regular trip.
The North Atlantic squadron, OF which
the kearsarge was the flagship, is now re-
duced to the Miantonomoh and Vesuvius.
This depleted condition is due to the large
force ordered to Rio and the absence of
other vessels on their way TO the Pacific to
take part in the Bering sea patrol.
The last naval disaster suffered by the
United States was the loss of the Dispatch,
of Assateague shoals. Va, October 10.
1871. NO iltcS were iOSt NJ bndk tttuc. IN
fact, the United States has been notably
free from disasters involving great loss Of
life. compared with other nayies of the
world. The Huron went TO pieces off
Organ inlet, ". c., during q hurricane
November -, 1877. and i0a lives lost. The
most notable disaster in which the United
States has been involved was the hurr;-
cane at Samoa. in which the Trenton.
Vandalia and Nipsic were wrecked and
145 lives in all lost. This included the
loss from all the vessels at Apia. The
disaster occurred March f5 lssa. and three
German ships also were lost. Ga Febru-
AIRY ls, 1888, the Ashuelte vert ashore on
rock off the coast of China. and eleven
men were lost. Ii il expected that the
loss of tho Kearsarge will result in piac-
ing light on Boncsdor reef, a result the
United States navy department has
earnestly sought to bring about for several
years, but without avail. owing to the
wish of this government that other ma
tions should bear shars in the expenses.
Colon. Feb. 9.-The kearsarge was
wrecked on Roncador reef at y. IN. last
Friday. The Kearsarge was under both
sail and steam at the time. and was going
about ten knots when she struck.
heavy sea was running, and as the charac-
ter of the keys in these waters was we'll
known TO the kearsarge's officers, IL was
evident safely lay in forcing her as far
upon the key AS possible before she began
TO break up. Accordingly she was at once
lightened up by heaving her guns over
board. The one FIRST 20 go was her spien
did old ll-inch after-piyoi gun that did
such terrible execution on the Alabama in
the famous tight in 1854. Next the masts
were cut away. IL would have been mad
ness TO attempt TO make 4 landing in such
a sea, in the intense darkness OF tropical
night, and therefore there was nothing 10
he done but wait till morning. A ter
rible night was passed. the waves
pounding heavily over the stern and
weather side as she swung more and more
hroaiside. Saturday morning line VAS
90. ashore, and all hands were finally
safe on the key. Owing 10 the manner in
which the waves swept the decks and filed
the hold, only little fresh water and
email quantity of provisions could be
saved. Three boats were got ashore but
little inj jured. As there vas Amos. no
water on the reef and about 30 men
campsd there with trifiing supply, one Of
the boats vas i'm mediately put IN order To
20 TO Old Providence for relief Lisat. Z.
r.. Brainard and Naval Cadet Stitt. with a
picked crew Of volunteers. lett the key
On reaching Old Providence. and finding
there nothing capable OF taking off the
shIpwreckea crew they came on 10 Colon
for assistance. When they left Roncador
key, the Kearsargs was breaking ap fast.
West Superior. " "a. Ss taxing ssefs to secure
the Jacsson-C -Coxbssf battle. 20 - csatsise.
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seeking free advertising This thssg IL getting
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