The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-02-09
THE KEARSARGE LOST.
The Famous Cruiser Runs on a
Coral Reef.
OFFICERS AND GREW RESCUED.

The Steamer City of Para Has Doubtless
Gone to Their Relief, and Details WIN
Probably be Delayed Until Her ArrI-
val In New York.
Colon, Feb. 0. - The United States
steamer Kearsarge, Commander Oscar f.
Heyerman commanding foundered on the
night of Feb. 3 off Roncador reef Every
body was saved The Kcnrarge was or
dered ON Jan. 81 to proceed from San Do
mingo TO Bluefields Nicaragua, to pro
tect American interests that were alleged
to be endangered by the troubles between
Honduras and Nicaragua.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.-The news of the
wreck Of the kearsarge reached the navy
department yesterday in dispatch which
came from Colon. 1t was sent by Lieu.
tenant Brainard. of the Kearsarge.
The Kearsarge sailed from Port au
Prince, lIayti, on Jan. 30, for Bluelield4
TO protect American interests there, in
view of the invasion of the military forces
of Honduras. She was wrecked three
days out. 1t Is conjectured that she went
aground at night.
Immediately upon receipt of the news
the navy department sent cable dis
patch to Lieutenant Brainard ordering
him to charter n steamer and proceed at
once to the relief of the shipwrccked crow.
A response was received from Lieuten-
ant Brainard, stating that tho steamer
City of Para was available to 20 after The
shipwrecked crew, and ii il expected she
will gel away promptly. 1t seems to be
expected that after she takes them up she
will proceed at once to New York, and will
not put in to the nearest port to send word
OF the condition of the wrecked ship and
crew. This would defer the reception of
any further news on the subject till the
arrival Of the City of Para at New York
Roncador reef is a little over two hun
dred miles from the Mosquito coast of
Central America. Between the cOast and
the reef lies Old Providence Island, only
seyenty.tive or eighty miles to leeward of
the reef. 1t is believed at the navy de
partment that the officers and crew would
be able to reach Old Providence Island
without difficulty in case they were in
danger of their lives ON the reef. 1t is also
believed hat they will be safe on the reef
except in the event of rough weather.
The officers aboard the kearsarge were:
Rear Admiral Oscar L. Stanton, Com
mander o. +. lleycrman, Lieutenants g..
# Forse, &. II. Lyman, BurnsT, Walling,
Leutenants Gunior RradeI John Hood and
Frederick X. Brainard; lInsigns Herbert
g Gates and Thomas p Maerudcr; Naval
Cadets dine diyisiom Leon :. Thompson,
Thomas /. Stitt, Thomas s. Borden, Ben
tamin Is. Mccormick, Walter Ball and
David A.. Mallon, Past Assistant Surgeon
George b. Ilumsden. Assistant Surgeon
Merritt w Barnum, Paymaster James A.
Ring. Chief Engineer Burdettc c. Cow
In. 4 .,r ~
L. \. lngats The crew was composed of
RUh sailors and marines
Her famous sea duel with the rebel
: steamer Alabama of Cherbourg France,
was the most memorable incident in the
old corvette's history. This engagement
was The wonder of the world, and not
only set England to thinking in the mat
ter OF ordnance but the whole of the
European governments TO Overhsuling
their systems, II was the only known en-
counter where two ships of almost idrnti.
cal build aud armament repaired to the
sea without the nautical limits Of the ter
ritory of friendly power and proceeded
to have fair and square fight.
On June II, 1864, the Alabama entered
the French port OF Cberbourg to relit.
Within few days the keRrsarge, com
manded by Captain Winslow, arrived at
the same port and by her actions rhal-
iengrd the Alabama to come out on the
sea and fight.
The Alabama accepted, and the battle
toplt place luut 10, isGI In little over
All hour the kearsHrgr sank the rebel ves-
sci Before she sank Captain Raphnel
benmrs and some of his officers were
picked up by a British yacht. the Grey
hound, whose owner had come out to see
the fight and to render wha; assistance he
could to the rebel cruiser.
This was the only important sea fight
dnrinx he war between two ships Hon.
ors were showered upon Commander John
A. Winslow throughout the country for
his victory. He was promoted TO com
molore, and subsequently 10 rear ad-
niral Hs died in Boston Sept 90 1873.