The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-11
OmcfaI Report Of the voyaEe of the
North Atlantic Squadron from Hamp-
ten Roads to Charleston.
BRAVE ATTEMPT At RESCUE
WHEN SIX sEAMEN WERE SWEPT
OFF THE BATTLE SHIP MAINE.
Conduct of w. j. Creelmnn, IA Lands
Praised by Capt. crowninshieId.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 1O.-secretary Her
bert this afternoon received the report of
Admiral Bunce on the voyage Of The North
Atlantic squadron from Hampton Roads to
Charleston The admiral incloses a report
from Captain CrowninshieId. of the Maine,
making a thrilling tale of danger and high
courage Rear Admiral Bunce states that
on the 9Th inst. the battle ship Indiana re-
ported that her turretS were beginning TO
work loose and he directed her to return
to Hampton Roads. The squadron then
proceeded southwark. After daylight it was
too thick TO see any OF the vessels except
the Maine. The wind blew a strong gale
with high and swift seas. At about 1890
a. IN. the Maine was picked up about three
miles astern, and reported that three men
had been washed overheard and lost. The
Marblehead was lying to. with sea an
= Choir out: she reported that she had been
boarded by a sea. killing one man and in
juring seven. After lying by the Marble
head until SHUTDOWN, and finding that she
was not in need of assistance. the admiral
proceeded towards Charleston, where all
the ships arrived safely. ..--------
Captain CrowninshieId's story OF the loss
of his three sailors and the attempt 10 res
cue is as follows: On the morning of the
Oln INST a sea swept over the Oeck lTOHl
the port side and washed overheard from
the port gangway. forward of the after
turret. Charles Hassel gunner's mate of
the third class. and Leonard c. Kogel, APP
prentice of the second class. who were at
work securing grating Both life
buoys were let go. the engines stopped. the
starboard engine backed and the lifeboat
was lowered. Naval Cadet W. X. Gherardi
taking charge. Immediately after the cry
of man overheard and before the hfeboat
was lowered William j. Creeiman. lands
man, jumped overheard from the poop
in an attempt 10 rescue koSel. Creelman
swan well but unable 10 reach kogel,
who sank within about one minute after ne
went overheard
perhaps, because il was at the same time
deliberate. He had run from forward and
says that, seeing the ifeboat about TO be
lowered, hoped to be able TO support hOSel
till the HfeDoat came, or TO take MIN 10
one of the buoys. Hassel reached Il buoy
soon after being washed overheard and on
seeing CreeIman SWAN toward him. making
every effort 10 share the buoy with him.
In the meantime the lifeboat was un-
able to do more than to take care OF itself.
and the was tremendous that IL was
in the greatest danger OF being SWamped.
The swivel for the steering car broke short
of and the boat was once nearly filled with
water. The weather had become thick with
a heavy driving rain To bring the ship
into position 10 pick up the lifebOat was
grave matter The boat was dropping TO
leeward ana the ship had TO be turned
through the trough OF the sea TO reach her.
While turning the ship rolled heavily, water
was taken board over the tops of the
turretS and one sea sweeping across from
the starboard side swept overheard from
the port quarter John Brown, seaman, and
Axel ID. Nelson. private u. s. NJ. c. With
the exception of Naval Cadet kneppe, who
threw a grating to Nelson. and boy who
thought he saw Brown dead in the water
one can be found TO say that these men
were seen after being washed overheard.
AT about 9:15 the lifeboat was brought
under the lee quarter and all of her crew
were taken out, Naval Cadet Gherardi be-
ing the last TO leave the boat. 1t was i'm
possible to recover the boat. The men on
the life buoy had been lost sight of, but
Immediately after saving the hfeboats
crew the ship was headed for them and
shortly after they were sighted and, after
maneuvering the ship for time. they were
hauled aboard at about $3.50 a. m. in an al
most helpless condition.
II desire to recommend William J. Creel-
man. landsman, Tor a life-saving medal of
the first class in recognition of his gallant
action on this occasion. Naval Cadet w. r.
Gherardi showed courage and able sea-
manship in handling his boat under the
Gherardi commends Percy Herbert cox
swain, for his courage and resourcefulness
as coxswain OF the lifeboat. The following
We're the crew of the lifeboat: Naval
Cadet w. r. Gherardi in charge; John An
derson. seaman: Gustaf Anderson. seaman:
Axel G.. Nelson. seaman: Percy Herbert
coxswain; Heinrich Brinkman. seaman:
George Liber, apprentice first class; Walter
Cameron, seaman.