The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1897-02-04
A HOLE IN HER HULL
CRUISER BROOKLYN MET WITH Sc
RIOUs INJURY.
Lower Double Compartments For
ward Shattered, but Inner Com
partments Kept Her Up.

Lower Double compartments ror-
ward Shattered, but Inner Com
partments Kept Her Up.
Philadelphia, Jan. 31.-The United States
steamer Brooklyn, the latest pride Of a
peerless navy, calculated to withstand
the fiercest onslaug'hts of shot and shell,
today lies almost utterly helpless be-
cause of a narrow ieoge of sunken rock
in the Delaware river. near Marcus
Hook, Pa, on wnlcn sne struck heavily
yesterday afternoon. Her lower double
compartments forward were completely
stove in, and 1t was only by the merest
good fortune that the big vessel did not
sink
This would undoubtedly have been the
result had not her inner compartments
successfully withstood the shock. AS 1t
was, she was pulled clear of the rocks,
and is now tied to the big stone ice
breakers at Marcus Hook, protected from
the ice gorges in mid-river.
The big vessel is seriously damaged, and
1t is impossible to say when she will be
able to go into active service. At pres
ent she is in no danger of further dam
age, being fully protected in the safe
anchorage afforded by the ice breakers
How the accident occurred can only be
established by a court of inquiry, and
this Captain Cook of the Brooklyn has
already asked.
The exact place where the vessel struck
was on Schooner Ledge rock, between
Chester and Marcus Hook, at about / :4E
o'clock.
What makes the accident even more
deplorable is the fact that this was the
first time the ship had been handled
by the present officers and crew since
going into commission in the early part
of December.
Since then she had been lying at League
island navy yard, and certain small re
pairs had delayed her sailing. By tn,
early part of the present month, however
all arrangements had been completed
for her going to sea when a cold snaI
set in, and was followed by the pilint
up Of Ice in the river, and particular,
at the bend In the river, Immediately be
low the navy yard, known as the horse
shoe.
Had to Move the Ship.
The city ice boat managed to keep th'
channel clear of ice. but on the side
1t pile, up from two to six feet.
The Brooklyn. lying at League island
with her prov facing seaward, was hel,
in tight and fast by the freezing weather
and 1t was deemed advisable to postpon
sailing until clearer sea- This did no
come, and the cold weather continued
and the Ice began piling, until 1t was be
lieved the position of the big boat wa
periIous The Ice was surging aroun'
and about her, and her officers felt tina
she must be moved or the heavy foe
would force her ashore. 1t was eviden
by the tugging at her anchor chain
that a safer berth should be given her
and so 1T was decided to take her t
Cramps yard yesterday, where one ha
been provided for her, one of the city ic
boats being brought into requisition, an
she broke the ice around the ship, Will
four big tugs stood by ready to lend
hand to tow her 70 her destination.
At the last moment it was seen that t
fraught with great difficulty and perhap
danger. Then 1t was that Captain Coo
asked the pilots, Captains Wall and Ben
/ uell, lWO VI lIlt llOSl Cdl tlul dil1 t&ptIl
enced men on the river, If the ship coul
be taken down the river. They replied 1
the affirmative and said that safe anchor
age could be obtained at Marcus Hool
The Brooklyn, under her own steam, sc
under way and kept straight on down tn
river, the iceboat breaking a way for he
and two of tile tugs following in he
wake.
Struck Hidden Rock.
Both pilots were on the cruiser and sh
made her way easily enough through tn
masses of floating Ice, and following til
ranges closely she had reached opposit
and close to Schooner ledge when the p
lots sent her slightly to starboard. whei
they considered it better water. Almo:
instantly the vessel struck the rock 70
ward with jar that shook her from ste
to stern. For a moment all was conf
sion, but for a moment only. The ne,
moment her cool-headed officers and me
were at work. The engines respond;
beautifully and she was quickly backt
Off. The quick settling of her pro
showed that the damage was severe.
hasty examination, followed by a clos
one, showed that her inner compartment
were but slightly, II at all, damaged, M
that the bulk of injury had been done
the outer compartments directly und
! the engine and firerooms.
At first many on board feared that Il
splendid ship would sink, but this fe'
| was soon dispelled. The city iceboat ~
, tugs lent hand, passed lines to the We
sci and towed her to Marcus Hook. whe
I she was made fast to the icebreakers.
a.ot
Press reporter boarded her. Her bow h
settled over a foot in the river, but othe
wise nothing seemed out of the ordinar
On board, however, a general feeling
gloom pervaded the officers and men, ar
r although none could be prevailed upon
talk about the matter 1t was evident tn
felt deeply the accident to their sh
. Captain Cook was seen, but politely a
e firmly declined to discuss the situate
He contented himself by saying that
9 had notified the department and h
Il asked for the appointment of a court
It inquiry. He was unable to say when :
i vessel would be able to leave her prese
/ anchorage, but 1t is evident from
IS heavy ice in the river that this can not
done until a general thaw has set in a
Is the river is practically free from Ice. II
,r depends entirely upon the weather. Sho'
y 1t continue cold, it will not be until
latter part of February that she could
brought up with safety.
" A Modern Cruiser.
II The Brooklyn is the latest and m
is modern pattern of an armored cruiser
t. the navy and was launched at Cram
at shipyard on October 2. She is the o.
% vessel in the navy having compl
electrical apparatus for moving her t
rets. Her cost, exclusive of armame
st was s2,9S6000. Her battery consists
re eight three-inch breech-loading rifles
~ 35 calibre, 12 13-inch breech-loading ri
x on the rapid-fring type, II six-poun