Evening star., 1897-02-01
MIsHAP TO THE BROOKLYN.
The Cruiser Strikes a Rock In the
Delaware River.

The Cruiser strikes n NOck IN thc
Delaware River.
The United States cruiser Brooklyn struck
a sunken rock in the Delaware river. above
Marcus Hook, Pa, Saturday. Her lower
double compartments. forward. were stove
in. and 1t was only by the merest good for
tune that the vessel did not sink. This
would undoubtedly have been the result had
rot her inner compartments successfully
withstood the shock. She was pulled clear
of the rocks and is now tied to the stone
ice breakers at Marcus Hook, protected
from the heavy ice gorges In midriver.
Secretary Herbert was Informed OF the
accident to the Brooklyn in the following
dispatch from Captain Cook, dated at Lin
wood. Pa:
Left League Island on account of the ice
jam. Struck On Schooner Ledge. The
dc uble-bottom compaI tment under the en-
CINE and fire rooms full Of water. Leak in
bilge. but kept clear by pumps. Safely
moored to ice pier.
Capt. Cook Reports ut Length.
Secretary Herbert today received the fol-
lowing report of the accident from Capt.
F. A. Cook. commanding:
''The Brooklyn anchored off League
Island and was dangerously beset by ice.
/ had been quite anxious lest the ship be
carried ashore by foes that We're getting
throttIe-valve chamber on board yesterday
nocn 1 determined it was best to put the
ship in a safer position If one could be
found. / learned upon consultation with
Capt. Sargent of Cramps ship yard. that
a safe berth could be had at that yard. l
decided at once to recommend to Commo-
dore Howell that the ship with her own
engines and assisted by tugs should go to
Cramps as soon as possible. Commodore
Howell approved Of my recommendation.
l made ARRANGEMENTS with the tugs and
pilots of the Red Star line 20 take me
through the ice to Cramps yard and moor
me there today. Also with the Phiiadel-
phia city ice boat No. l to break the ice
around the ship and in the channel
through the Horseshoe Three tugs ar
rived near the ship between and 10 am.
The fourth tug was wedsed in the ice at
the Horseshoe and did not arrive until we
reached Marcus Hook. The ice boat No.
l broke the thicker ice around the ship.
where we had been wedged since the food
tide Ct the night before. heading down
stream. / weighed anchor, and with our
own engines and the assistance Of the
tugs in breaking the Ice. tried In vain to
turn the ship. Finding 1 could not do SO,
my best resources seemed to be to make an
attempt to get out of the river. The pilot.
man. said the tide was favorable, and he
advised strongly that / go 20 Marcus Hook
ard tie up at the Ice piers, and thus be
ready to go On G favorable tide down the
river.
Being convinced that It was my best
course. 1 determined to go. having previous
ly called second pilot from one of the
tug boats to keep the ranges with him. be-
ing desirous to use every safeguard that
could be suggested. This ship steamed
readily through the zee and handled per
fectly. l was about 10 congratulate myself
upon the success Of the whole movement
when she struck. while passing Schooner
Lodge and while she was on the range OF
the best water. and having the assurance
Of such from the pilot. the navigating en-