The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-02-01
THE CRUISER RROoKLYN.

Since December she had been lying at
League island navy yard, and certain
small repairs had delayed her sailing.
By the early part of the present month,
however, all arrangements had been
completed for her going to sea, when
the cold snap set in, and was followed
by the piling up of ice in the river, and
particularly at the bend in the river.
Immediately below the navy yard.
known as the Horse Shoe. The city ice
boat managed to keep the channel clear
to the city, but on the sides ii piled up
from two to six feet.
The Brooklyn. lying at League island.
with her prov facing seaward, was
hemmed in tight and fast, and it was
deemed advisable to postpone sailing
The cold weather continued, and the ice
began piling, until 1t was believed that
the position Of the big boat was perilous
The ice was surging around and about
her, and her officers felt that she must
be moved or the heavy foes would force
her ashore. If, as has been frequently
asked for. the government would have
built wharves sufficiently long enough
TO protect such vessel, There would
have been no necessity for moving the
vessel 1t was evident however by the
tugging at her anchor chains that a
safer berth should be given her and so
it was decided TO take her to Cramps,
where one has been provided for her.
One of the city ice boats was brought
into requisition and broke the ice around
the ship. while four big tugs stood by,
ready to tow her to her destination
At the last moment ii was seen that, to
go through the ice I'm the Horseshoe was
frsusht with great difficulty and per-
haps danger. Then it was that Captain
Cook asked the pilots, Captains Wells
and Bennett, two of the most careful
and experienced men on the river, If the
ship could be taken down the river.
They replied in the affirmative, and said
that safe anchorage could be obtained
at Marcus Hook. The Brooklyn, under
her own steam. got under way, and kept
straight on down the river, the ice
boat breaking a way for her. and two
tugs following in her wake. Both pilots
were on the cruiser. and she made her
Way easily enough through the mass of
floating ice and following the ranges
closely.
She had reached opposite and close to
Schooner ledge when the pilots sent her
slightly to starboard. where they con-
SiueTeu IL NdtcI.
stantly the vessel struck the rocks with
a jar that shook her from stem to stern.
For moment all was confusion. but for
n moment only; the next her coo!head
ed officers and men were at work. Tho
engines responded beautifully, and she
was quickly backed off. The quick set
tling OF her prov showed that damage
had resulted hasty examination.
h.y nln oh ba
her inner compartments were but slight
IL. IL at all. damaged, and that the bulk
OF the damage had been done to the out
er compartments. directly under the en-
eine and fire rooms. At first many on
board feared that the splendid ship
would sink. but this fear was soon dis
PEELED The city ice boat and the tugs
lent q hand, passed lines to the vessel
snd towed her to Marcus Hook, where
she was made fast to the ice breaker.
Her bow has settled over foot in the
river. but otherwise. nothing seemed
out OF the ordinary order OF things. On
board, however general feeling of
gloom pervaded the officers and men.
and. although none could be prevailed
upon to talk about the matter, 1T was
evident that they felt deeply the acci
dent to their ship. Captain Cook was
seen, but politely and firmly declined to
discuss the situation. He contented
himself by saying that he had notified
the navy department and had asked for
the appointment OF court of inqur.'.
He was unable to say when the vessel
would be able to leave her present an
.horage but IL is evident, from the
heavy ice i'm the river. that this cannot
be done until a general thaw has set in
and the river is practically free from ice.
This depends entirely upon the weather.
Should IL continue cold. IL will not be
until the latter part Of the month or the
carly part of March that she can be
brought up with safety. and only then.
when she Is docked. can the extent OF
the damage become known.