The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-22
THE KEARSARGE'S CREW
ALL, INCLUDING ADMIRAL STAN
TON, REACH NEW YORK
On tho Steamship City of Para The Ad-
mirAl Tells About the Wreck OF the
Famous Old wsr-ship.


decorated with flags. and over the gang
plank was spread a huge American rag
in honor of the officers and crew Of the
Kearsarge. A large number OF the friends
and relatives Of the naval men OF the
Kearsarge were on the pier to greet the
wrecked men. while still larger crowd
surged in the street. all craning their
necks for a view of the sailors.
A reporter who boarded the vessel at
quarantine talked with some OF the crew
and officers OF the Kearsarge, who related
the story of the wreck Of the famous old
man-ofwar on Roncador reef.
Admiral .innton Taiks.
Acting Admiral oscar Stanton, who was
first seen by the reporter gave the fol-
lowing account OF the wreck Of his Has
ship
THE accident occurred at about
o'clock on the afternoon of February ID,
said Admiral Stanton. "A stiff northeast
fresh trade wind was blowing, and there
was a considerable surf. The Kearsarge
struck rather lightly at first, and then
there was heavy jar and a crash. when
the ship went up high and dry on the rect
I'VE remained on board the Kearsarse
that night and were taken ashore the
next day. The City Of Para did not come
until Saturday February 10th, about
week from the time We went ashore on
Roncador Island
"An hands were taken off the kear-
sarge OF the catamaran boat after work
ing all night in order TO get the engines
ready for our departure from our ship
We sent the catamaran boat ashore about
dayhreak.
After we reached the shore We gath
cred together some old sails. awnings. and
duck, with which we rigeed up n tent 20
shelter us. The weather was quite warm
enough 90 make such q tent sufficiently
comfortable. no increase the small sup
ply OF water we We're enabled 90 carry
with ms from the kearsarge We dug
well. We also had what provisions we
could save from the ship.
1--WE had built RATS during the night
and early Saturday morning In order 20
transport what things we could take
away from the ship together with our
eight days supply Of water which per
mitted a supply Of one pint day for
each man.
No Excitement and no Panic.
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.. Brainerd went TO Colon as soon
as possible In the steam launch Of the
Kearsarge in order 20 communicate with
the Navy Department al Washington and
charter a steamer TO come to our aid.
Every one who was aboard the Kcar-
sarge. both officers and men, are with
me. with the exception Of Dr. Barnum.
who was detached % the coast survey
steamer Ranger at Acaiuta.
There are twenty-Oue officers and
one hundred and eighty-one men. max
ing up two hundred and two in ALL and
we are all we'll The Kearsarge carried
eight boats. Three OF these on the port
side were stove I'm and one OF them
was washed away.
Anderson Robbins. one Of the men.
was drowned shortly after the wreck.
Tnc ship was rapidly filling with water
and Robbins was swimming for the reef,
but he could not make il, and was
drowned. This occurred the day We
landed.
I'm going ashore they were compelled
10 90 i'm parties Of six. the capacity OF
the Cataraman. which was held fast by
a life line, which was stretched from
the Kearsarge 90 the shore When we
discovered Fireman Anderson Robbins
struggling In the water We dispatched
Lieutenant and seven men In "A life boat
to his assistance, and made every effort
TO save him, but he sank before we could
reach him.
After we had gotten safely ashore.
Lieutenant Brainerd and seven men were
dispatched in a life boat 20 Old Prov-
dence in order 10 secure assistance. The
City Of Para which he chartered. did not
reach US until 10 o'clock on the 10th. She
Immediately launched two boats. which.
assisted by the Kearsarge's four life
boats. took all the hands on board the
city of Para as quickly as possible, when
the latter steamed for Colon, stopping
on the way at Old Providence 10 pick
up fhe lieutenant and crew, which had
been sent by Commander Heyerman TO
send us assistance"
Cause Of the Wreck.
In answer 10 the question as TO the
cause Of the accident. whether due rs
has been rumo-ed. TO defective chfOno-
meters or otherwise, Admiral stanton