The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-02-09
IMAM OVERHEARD"
WAS THE CRY
That Thrilled All hasds on the Bat
tleship Maine 10 Fridays Gale.
THE SQUADRON BADLY USED
by the Raging Wayes-Sev' al Vessels
Damaged and Many Brave Men
Meet a Sailors Fate.

Charleston, S. c.. February s.--Ad-
mlral Bunce's blockading squadron
made this port today after stormy
voyage from Hampton Roads losing
three men from the Maine during the
gale Friday The feet Is now anchored
al the jettics and shows no sign OF
the terrible weather experienced.
The squadron weighed anchor in the
Roads Thursday morning and put TO
sea Friday evening the weather thick
cned and by night was blowing gale.
The Indiana returned 20 the Roads, ow-
ing 10 the condition OF her turrets. The
Test OF the feet. however, poked their
noses into the Storm and headed south.
When about fifty miles of Hatteras the
fleet felt the full force Of the blow. Open
squadron formation was maintained
and the vessels were put in order for
a siege Of weather.
The Battle ship Maine washed her
decks at every plunge. 1t was late
Friday afternoon when the accident oc-
CURED which cost three seamen their
hyes. Three others were rescued only
by prom u and heroic work. A gang OF
men were ordered forward 70 make
more secure the lashfngs of the big
guns The deck was deluged and the
wind was freshening every moment.
The men were at work with the lash
ings when an unusually heavy sea came
over her bows and swept aft. Six Of
the gang were picked up and carried
overheard before they could escape the
wave. When the cry man overooard
was carried back there was a scene OF
momentary confusion. but In an instant
the splendid discipline OF the crew
was apparent Life buoys were cut
I loose and the order given to get boat
overheard. The high seas made this
work one Of peril and difficulty. but a
boats crew. under Naval Cadet Walter
I r. Chirartii. son of Rear Admiral CHR
arCii. retired. was finally lowered
Meantime the drowning men fought
7 bravely and three OF them managed
to keep aficat until their mates hauled
them out OF the water. The remaining
three lmen We're not 10 be seen. The
life boat cruised back and forth ovel
the sea, but the brave fellows had
given up the struggle and met sail
or's fate.
The Marblehead also met with a Sc
rious accident. One man was crushed
to death. another was fatally injured
and six Others were 50 badly hurt thai
several may lose their limbs. The de
tails Of the accident on the Marhleheat
are not obtainable. Tonight as she lie.
OF the jetties. she presents a disman
tied appearance. Her forecastle is STOW,
in and a portion OF her superstructur
and two matches are carried away. Thi
heavy seas that swept over her deck
also carried away her search-light, low
er port boom. smashed the rails ans
swept overheard the life boats. Car
penter Shawberle was crushed to dealt
in the forecastle when 1t was wrecke,
by monster wave. and Plumber Hick
ey had his skull smashed by the wreck
age and will probably die.
other vessels Of the fleet show mark
of their rough voyage, their uppe
works and deck hamper being dam
aged
Friday night the fleet had heav
weather Of 1t, but managed to kee
within hailing distance of one another
Towards morning the squadron wa
hove to. The officers say it was one o
the worst gales the fleet ever expe
rienced.