Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-02
DAMAGE TO THE BROOKLYN.
Commander Of the ship Asks an In
yestigntfon,


vestigation.
WASHINGTON, d. c., February l.
| Special )-Secretary Herbert has ordered
back to Cramps the Brooklyn which ran
on rocks in the Delaware river Saturday,
to be repaired. The vessel will be taken
to League Island. It Is probable that all
her heavy guns will have TO be removed
to tighten her as much as possible. The
plates have been ripped from the bottom
Of the Brooklyn for distance of l25 feet
on each side OF the keel.
Secretary Herbert has received the fol-
lowing official report from Captain COOK:
United States Steamship Brooklyn,
Marcus Hook, Delaware county, Pa,
January 20, 1881
"Sir The Brooklyn anchored Oft League
Island and was dangerously beset by ice.
| have been quite anxious lest the ship
be carried ashore by foes, that were get
ting heavier and heavier. Upon receiving
the Unbelievable chamber on board yes
terday, | determined IL was best TO put
the snip In a safer position, II one could
BE- found | learned upon consultation
! with Captain Sargent. Of Cramps ship
yard, that a safe berth could be had al
that yard. | decided at once to recon-
mend TO Commodore Howell that the
ship, with her own engines and assisted
by tugs. should so to Cramps as soon AS
possible
Commodore Howell approved Of my
recommendation. | made arrangements
with the tugs and pilots Of the ked-Star
Line TO take me through the ice az
Cramps yard and moor me there today;
also. with the Philadelphia City lce-Boat
No. l. TO break the ice around the snip
and in the channel through the Horse
shoe
Three tugs arrived near the ship be-
tween and 10 a. VI. The fourth tug was
wedged in the ice at the Horseshoe and
did not arrive until we reached Marcus
Hook. The Ice-Roat. No. /. broke the
thicker fee around the ship where we
had been wedged since the ftood-tde or
the night before. heading down stream. l
weighed anchor, and with our own en-
gines and the assistance Of the tugs IN
breaking the ice whore we had been
wedged. tried In vain to turn the ship.
Finding / could not do So my best re-
sources seemed TO be 10 make an attempt
to get ont Of the river. The pilot, an eN-
perienced and apparently intelligent man,
said the tide was favorable. and he ad-
yised strongly that ] 30 to Marcus Hook
and tie up at the ice-piers, and thus De
ready TO go. on favorable tide ~ down
| the river. Being convinced that IL was my
best course. / determined to 20, having
previously called a second pilot from one
OF the tug boats 20 keep the ranges with
him. being DESTROYS 10 use every sdie-
guard that could be suggested. The snip
handled perfectly. I was about TO con-
graduate myself upon the success OF the
whole NOV ment, when she struck while
passing Schooner LEDGE and while she
was on the range of the best water, ana
having the assurance of such from the
pilot, the navigating officer. Lieutenant
McCrea and myself also Keeping the
range. The grounding of the ship was
most perceptibly felt, and appeared ike
passing over loose stones 1t was soon
reported to me that the double-bottom
compartments under the fire-roOms ana
the forward engine-Toom were full or
water-leaking through the manh0le-plates
and Tivets In some places into the biiges
and forward magazine. which have been
readily pumped out and kept free.
This is q most deplorable accident,
and one that has fallen like pail upon
officers and crew thoroughly interested IN
the ship, her welfare, and her career.
From all the facts al present within my
knowledge, l feel that the accident came
from no neglect of precauton or Judg-
ment on my part. Pilot Wall holds a
regular United States license as pilot. ana
insists that he had got the best range
and cannot account for the disaster; ana
he is entirely sustained in this opinion by
Pilot Bennett. Recent blasting at the
ledge, which 1 understand has been going
on. may have left some loose rock not
before I'm the channel.
AT the time of passing this ledge the
tide had dropped not more than foot be-
low high water as determined by the
water-marks on the stone ice-piers. where
we are now moored at Marcus Hook
This ship Will have to return, as soon
as the river is free of ice and tides per-
NIT, to League Island discharge all her
weights, and go I'm the dock.
IL request court Of inquiry 10 investi-
gate and report. Very respectfully,
(SgneD IF. A. COOK,
Captain. United States Navy, Command
ing"
The desired court will be promptly or
dered
The accident to the Brooklyn is so SINH
lar to that which injured the cruiser CO.
lumbia In the Delaware river three years
ago that naval officers believe the same
obstruction. caused the damage in each
instance. The Columbia went down the
river in May. 1884, but not until August
following was the discovery made that her
bottom plates had been badly Scared and
dented, necessitating $4,000 worth Of re-
pairs in the League Island dock.
A court Of inquiry exonerated the off,
GERS, as il was shown that they used
every precaution, and there Is no doubt
at the Navy Department that the court
which will investigate the Brooklyn WIN
be unable to attach any blame on the part
OF her officers.
The Cramps have made an offer 10 make
good the damage TO the Brooklyn al
League Island as soon as the vessel can
be docxed there. under the same terms
at the same place.
The latest disaster has again started the
controversy in the navy over the advisa-
blity OF maintaining the League Island
monstrated to be difficult OF access for
heavy ships, and a strong effort Will be
made 10 close the yard, or have Congress
dredge the channel 10 an adequate depth.
Secretary Herbert has accepted an offer
promptly made by the Cramps to-day.
through Lewis Nixon. TO make the cruiser
BROOKLYN as good as new. In the shortest
possible time. at actual cost. The Cramps
are deeply concerned In the welfare or
the vessel which is OF their own con-
struction. and for which they Will not be
fully paid until the vessel has had her
final inspection at sea, several months
hence.
hurrying TO Washington. and found that
about rs feet OF the plating on each side
OF the keel had been bent and torn, riyets
being sheared off. and steel plates ripped
away In many places. He says all neces-
sarv tugs and lighters will be alongside
the vessel tonight. getting out the coal.
ammunition. and heavy stores. to make
the ship light enough 20 pass over the
lodges on her return trip UP the river 10
the navy-yard. where she will be docked
On account OF the river current AT the
ward, n bar has formed where the receiy-
jngship Richmond is anchored. This bar IL
TOO shallow TO let the Brooklyn into the
dock I'm her present condition, but
dredge will De Immediately put to work
70 omen a channel. The ice-boats owned
by the city OF Philadelphia VIII be utilized
~ make q passage through the ice. and no
effort will be spared 10 get the Brooklyn
into the dock tomorrow. II absolutely
necessary, her heavy guns Will be taken
made ready for sea again In about two
weeks. In the mean time a court OF In
ouiry will be held at the League Island
nayy-yard. meeting IN few days.
ole papers for sele at the Dispatch office.