New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-10-15
WAR SHIPS IN THE ST ORM.
THE WHITE SQUADRON COMES INTO
PORT WITHOUT THE COLUMBIA.
SIZE WAS LAST SEEN TOWING THE CAPE CHARLES
LIGHTsHTp TO sAFETY-AN ACCIDENT

SIZE WAS LAST SEEN TOWING THE CAPE CHARLES
LIGHTsHIP TO sAFETY-AN ACCIDENT
on THE INDIANA
Rear-AdmlraI Bunce's White Squadron came into
port yesterday afternoon and anchored off Quar-
artne about O'Clock The ships had felt the full
force OF the hurricane which caused much dam
shore, and reports Of the officers show that
while they excellent boats and fully able to
stand any weather that any other vessel can even
the best OF the ships were at a disadvantage IN
the bowling tempest which came roaring up the
coast Saturday. Sunday and Monday. The fleet
Is not large when II was last in port as the
Raleigh has gone to Key West TO relieve the New
ark which is coming home and the Columbia Is
aioat somewhere. but none OF the ships in port
know where. while the Massachusetts, did not sail
with the others.
The flee. started from Hampton Roads Monday
morning bound for the and southern cruising
grounds whore the last practice drill Of the season
was to be held Hardly had they got clear Of the
Capes wher the Montgomery sighted the Cape Charles
Lightship alrlft from her moorings and in trouble.
She picked up the lghishp and turned her over to
the Raleigh. There i've men on board tho light
ship and they had been aGrft since early morning.
The Raleigh attached steel cable TO the lghtsh!p
and started TO tow her back to her station but the
strain caused by the rolling and pitching OF the un-
Wiedly Graf, too much for tine cable and the
cruiser, and the wire rope gave way
Another attempt was made. with a like result. and
then Admiral Bunce signaed to the swift and power
ful Columbia to take charge OF tho lightshlp Cap
tain Sands obevcd the order promptly. and after
making fast TO the derellct started for the Capes'
while the rest of the feet kept on its way TO sea-
Within a few hours the full force OF the gale was
on the cruisers and the Columbia has not been seen
nor hea rd from since she parted company WIN her
companions No fears for her safety are enter
tanned however and. she is expected to give an
account of herself to-day.
,failv- -bap rbe
way with the wind increasing every moment ana
n frightfully nasty sea kicked up All the SHIPS
were rolling and tumbling about, ana the s.r'''
was more severe than any OF them had ever peeh
subjected TO before They all stood 1t In sood shaPe
EXCEPT the Indiana. Captain Evans's hoating iort
was washed bv the heavy seas. and In the turmoil
1, was noticed that the turrets containing her
great l3-inch guns showing signs OF weak
ness the wrsnching on the enormous iron clamps
being sufficient to work them loose
The New-York signaled to inquire II the battle
ship was In need Of assistance. but the reply came
that all right. In short tline' noMe,r' @ 81
the watchers that there was trouble on p9a,".
and stood by until the loose clamps were frightened
and the Admiral satisfied that everything was
sown o down of speed to about ive knots an hour
The ships fell behind the others but the distaaGe
was recovered on Tuesday morning, ana the squdi-
ron kept together thereafter. There was no pras,
tice work, the Admiral being content TO make port
The tumbling around continued all TUESDAY
night and while Ensign Gilbert ,fnith S'aioral.i.
Of the Indiana was asleep In his berth ne was
thrown TO the floor Just he struck the moor one
OF the heavy steel armor doors. hVe lncncs thlvh,
separating the junior officers quarters from the
rest OF the ship slammed to- IL had worked loose
from it's fastening. and as II closed II caught the
ensign's left leg and broke 1t. When the meet ar
rived M the anchorage Ensign Galpraith was
sent ashore and taken TO the Presbyterian HOS ii-
tai where the physicians declare the fracture 70
he serious and express fears that the leg VIII
have TO be amputated. ~ , r,,, ,,.,
Soon after leaving the Capes the Raleigh shaped
her course for Key West where she viii relieve the
Nevork The Massao husetts was left behind at
II,mnton Roads preparatory 10 her hnal trlal,
which is slated for r.xt Monday. 1t is said that
t'an,nin Rogers expects his ship to more than meet
ali Tho reouirements OF the test.
The Indiana il is expected. VIII 80 TO the Brook-
Ivn NAVY Yard to-day or tomorrow for repairs and
the other ships will up as fast as room can be
made for them " y,
What detected the results OF the ten-oared
race which was rowed Friday last with the
indiana's crew. and which was won by the latter
af,er null OF four and half miles straightaway by
the comfortable margin OF more than four boat
lengths ,, -. A.. , -. a..
Acct are not yet fully settled. but they will all
have n turn I'm the hands OF the filters and repair
"rs before going to again 1t Is said that the
winter cruises I'm Southern waters will not take in
ali the vessels but that enough will be kept on the
cal he