The record-union., 1897-02-01

the Rocks and Damaged Her Outer
Compartments.
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 3l.-The
United States steamer Brooklyn, the
latest pride of a peerless navy, calcu-
lated to withstand the tiercest on
slaught of shot and shell, to-day lies al
most entirely helpless because of a
narrow ledge of sunken rock in the
Delaware River, above Marcus Hook,
Penn on which she struck heavily
yesterday afternoon Her lower double
compartments, forward, were closely
stove, and it 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 com
partments successfully Withstood the
Shock AS it was she was pulled clear
of the rocks and is now tied to the big
stone ice breakers at Marcus Hook,
protected from the heavy ice gorges
in mid-river.
The big vessel is seriously damaged
and it is impossible to say when she
will be able TO go into active service.
AT present she is in no danger of fur
ther damage, being fully protected in
the safe anchorage afforded by the ice
breakers. How the accident occurred
can only be established by court of
inquiry, and this Captain Cook Of the
Brooklyn has already asked for
The exact place where the vessel
struck was on Schooner Ledge rock, be-
tween Chester and Marcus Hook, at
IL 1sa no ma
accident even more deplorable is the
fact that it was the first time the ship
had been handled by the present OFF,
GERS and crew since going into commits
sion in the early part of December.
Since then 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. wher5
the colder 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
Of ice. but on the sides it piled up from
two to six feet.
Ine Brooklyn, fNiHS al 1<ccS bF l7iot4N-
with her prov facing seaward, was held
in tight and fast by the freezing
weather. and il was deemed advisable
to postpone sailing until a clearer sea-
This did not come and the cold weather
continued and the ice began piling until
it was believed the position Of the big
boat was perilous. The ice was surg
ing around and about her and her offi-
GERS felt she must be moved or the
heavy foes would force her ashore.
It was evident. however, by the tug
ging at her anchor chains, that arsaf@r
berth should be given her, and 50 1t
was decided to take her to Cramp :
wards yesterday, where one had been
provided for her. One Of the city ice
boats was brought into requisition and
broke the ice around the ship, Whlle
four big tugs stood ready to lend 4
hand to tow her To her destination. Al
the last moment it was seen that u
go through the ice in the Horse Shoe
was fraught with great difficulty ana
perhaps danger.
Then II was that Captain Cook asked
the pilots Captains Wall and Bennett.
two of the most careful and expert
enced men on the river, If the snip
could be taken down the river. IheE
renlied in the affirmative, and SAID that
cafe anchorage could be obtained at
Marcus Hook The Brooklyn under her
oxvn steam got under way and Kept
estraight ON down the river, the lee
hoat breaking a way for her and two
of the tugs following IN her wake. Both
,,ffots were on the cruiser and she made
her way easily through the masses OF
eoating ice and following the ranges
closely. She had reached opposite ana
close TO Schooner Ledge, when the pi-
lots sent her slightly to starboard,
where they considered IT better water.
,1roost instantly the vessel struck the
rocks with a jar that shook her from
stem to stern
Eoy. a. moment all was confusion, but
ro, :. moment only. and the cool-headed
oe}cars and men were at work. me
engines responded beautifully and she
,-ae quickly backed off. The quick
eattlino Of her PROV showed that dam
ace had resulted \ hasty examination
followed BY a closer one showed that
inner co1npartments were but sllghuy'
II at all damaged, and that the bulk
of the injury had been done 10 the outer
compartrnants. directly under the en-
sine ard freroons. At first many on
board feared that the splendid ship
would sink. but this fear was soon
dissipated. The clay iceboats ana the
tugs lent hand. passed the lines to the
vessel and towed her to Marcus HOOK
where she was made fast to the ice
breakers.
Here she lay to-day when an Asso-
ciated Press reporter boarded her- her
bow had settled over a foot in the river
but otherwise nothing seemed out % the
ordinary order Of things. on poafd'
however. a general feeling OF gloom
pervaded the officers and men, and a.
though none could be prevailed upon
70 talk about the matter II was eVi-
dent they felt GeepIy the accident 10
their ship.
Captain Cook was seen. but politely
and firmly declined 10 discuss the stu
alton He contented himself by say
ing that he had notified the department
and had asked for the appointment Of
a Court of Inquiry He*was unable TO
say when the vessel would be able to
fsF 2 5s