The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-02-02
GROUNDING OF THE nnooKrYN.
Captain Cooks Omcinl Account
Cramps VIII Repair Her.

Cramps Will Repair Her.
Washington, ID. c., Feb. 1.-Secretary
Herbert has made arrangements to 20
To Charleston on the 18th instant and
spend two days while Admiral Bunces
Meet Is blockadinE that port
Tho Secretary has received the follow
ing official report from Captain Cook
regarding the grounding of the Brook
iyh in Delaware river near Marcus
Hook:
United States Steamship Brooklyn,
Marcus Hook, Delaware county, Pa
January 80 1897.
Sir:-The Brooklyn anchored of Lea
sue Island and was dangerously beset
by Ice. have been quite anxious lest
the ship be carried ashore by foes that
were getting heavier and heavier. Upon
receiving the throttle valve chamber on
board yesterday noon, determined 1t
was best to put the ship in u safer posi-
ton IL one could be found. 1 learned
upon consultation with Captain Sar-
geant, OF Cramps shlp-yard, that safe
perth could be had at that yard. I de-
cided Mt once to recommend to Commo-
dore Howell that the ship, with her own
engies and assisted by tugs. should go
to Cramps as soon as possible
Commodore Howell approved of my
recommendation. j made arrangements
with the tugs and pilots of the Red Star
Line to take me through the ice at
Cramps yard and moore me there to-
day: Also with the Philadelphia City
ice boat No. / to break the Ice around
the ship and in the channel through
the "Horsesoe." Three tugs ar
rived near the ship between and 10 q.
IN. The fourth tug was wedged in tho
ice at the Horseshoe" and did not ar
rive until we reached Marcus Hook
The Ice boat No. broke the thicker ice
around the ship, where we had been
wedged since the flood tide of the night
before. heading down stream. I weighed
anchor and with our own engines and
the assistance of the tugs I'm breaking
the ice tried i'm vain to turn the ship
FINDING l could not do so. my best re-
sources seemed to be to make an attempt
to get out of the river.
LISTENED TO THE PILOT.
The pilot. an experienced and appar-
emily Intelligent man, said the tide was
favorable and he advised strongly that
go TO Marcus Hook" and tie up at
the ice piers. and thus be ready to go on
favorable tide, on down the river. Be
ing convinced that it was my best course
/ determined TO go, having previously
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 ice and handled per-
fectly. ] was about to congratulate my
self upon the success of the whole move
ment when she struck while passing
schooner Ledge" and while she was on
the range of the best water, and having
the assurance of such from the pilot, the
navigating officer Lieutenant McCrea
and myself also keeping the range.
HIT WITH A JOLT.
THE grounding of the ship was most
perccptably felt, and appeared like
passing over loose stones. 1t was soon
reported to me that the double bottom
compartments under the fire rooms and
forward engine-room were full Of water,
leaking through the manhole plates and
rivets in some places into the bilges and
forward magazines. which have been
readily pumped out and kept free.
This is most deplOrable accident
and one that has fallen like a pail upon
officers and crew thoroughly interested
in the ship, her welfare and her career.
From all the facts at present within my
knowledge l feel that the accident came
from no neglect of precaution or judg-
ment on my part.
CRAMPS WILL REPAIR HER.
Lewis Nixon reached the Navy De-
partment this afternoon with an offer
from the Cramps to make good at actual
cost the damage to the Brooklyn at the
League Island Yard as soon as the YES
sci can be docked there under the same
terms that the Columbia was repaired
by them at the same place. The Sec
retary accepted the offer. The latest dis
aster has again started the controversy
in the navy over the advisabiity of
maintaining the League Island Yard,
which repeated accidents have demon
started to be difficult of access for heavy
ships, and Il strong effort will be made
to close the yard or have Congress
dredge the channel to an adequate
depth.
The Cramps are deeply concerned In
the welfare of the vessel, which is OF
their own construction. and for which
they will not be fully paid until the
vessel has had her final inspection at sea
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