The record-union., 1896-02-05

NEW YORK, Feb. 1.-The ST. Paul
shook the sands of Long Branch from
her bottom at 10 o'clock this morning
and steamed away for New York. Four
OF the Merritt & Chapman tugs as
sisted the pride of the American line
to free herself from the unwelcome po-
sition in which she found herself about
1:45 O'Clock on Saturday, January 10Th.
Tugs have tried their strength to get
the ship a1oat, and have failed day
after day as signally as though they
were ordinary rowboats tied to an iron
pier and manned by small boys. Even
the high tides at the full of the moon
have lacked sufficiently potent infiu-
ence on the mass of water to work the
big vessel out on the bosom of the ocean.
But yesterday came the prayed-for
northeaster. In the high water of a
northeaster, yanked and pulled and
strained at by four of the most powerful
can boast, slowly and with much effort
the ST. Paul was gradually worked sea-
ward During the period between sun
set and sunrise and after sunrise, by
inches and then feet and yards the ST.
1dul cdIIlG 10 neIoell anu " d
position of usefulness.
Early this morning the st. Paul found
that she could use her steam. She as
sisted to the full of her bent the efforts
of her would-be rescuers. Her saliva
ton was worked out in the midst of a
driving snowstorm to the tune of the
corking northeaster. The northeaster
brought high water and a heavy sea.
IT duplicated the conditions that pre-
vailed when the st. Paul slid her nose
into the yielding sands of Long Branch
and made her grounding so near the
shore a possibility. Like conditions
gave her the opportunity to get away.
When even hope was almost dead the
change came.
When the finest ocean greyhound ever
built in the United States, and flying
the flag of the republic, finally slid over
the second bar and into thirty mine
feet of water, the life savers, boatmen
and laymen on shore and the men on the
ST. Paul joined in one good glad cry of
victory. Telephone connections with
the big liner were got off, it is hoped,
forever. SO far as the eye could dis
tinguish she was not anything the worse
for the protracted visit to the shores of
New Jersey.
The st. Paul passed in at Sandy Hook
at 11:50 o'clock, bound for her dock in
New York, carrying as ballast about
500 tons of water. She sailed up to the
American Line pier at 1:30 p. M, and
after half an hours work three tugs
succeeded in pushing her into berth
at the new dock, adjoining the regu-
lar pier of the American Line company.
AS she approached the dock she was
saluted by the different craft in the
river, which salute she acknowledged
by blowing her big whistle.
Expert examiners began this after
noon to make a thorough inspection of
the ship. This will require at least
two days. Then the United States
Steamship Inspectors will look over the
ship and make sure she is all right.
Every body connected with the st. Paul
express the conviction that the ship
is in no way injured.
It was announced that the American
Line officials will hold an investigation
into the grounding of the st. Paul in a
few days. Manager Griscom says,
however, that from inquiries already
made he feels positive Captain Jami-
son viii clear himself of all blame in
the matter
Regarding the cost of floating the ST.
Paul, Manager Griscom said that it
was a salvage case, and he thought it
would be in some way compromised.
Stories about paying the wrecking crew
100000 to float the ship are unfound-
ed, as no stipulation had been made.
The matter might be settled in a few
months and it might drag along for a
year. 1t is thought the ship will be
ready for her next regular trip, Feb
rEary 18th.