The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-02-24
WAR FLEET TN PERIL,
Admiral Bunce's Squadron Battles
With Terrific Gale.
FOUR JACK TARS Persisted.

Five United States warships Arrived at
Chsrleutou. 8 c., After Trying Ex-
perience Of the North Carolina Coast---
Heroic Attempt OF Landsmnn on the
Maine to Save His Drowning Comrade.
CHARLESTON. 8. G. (speciaD. Admiral
ounces squadron Of United States war ves-
,sls arrived here Monday after terrific en-
counter with cyclone Off Hatteras, during
which four lives were lost, eight men were
Injured seriously, and oil the vessels sus.
tanned minor injuries.
The ships of the squadron consist Of the
New York, Maine, Columbia, Amphtrite,
and Marblehend. The Maine lost three Of
her crew and the Marblehead lost one and
had six injured. Three men were swept
overheard from the Maine and three jumped
e.fter them. The last three were rescued.
The boat that went after the men who were
swept overheard capsized, but all CT tho
rescuing crew wer" saved. One man was IN
iured on the New York.
All five OF the vessels are now at aachor
about two miles off the bar. The squadron
ran into the teeth OF the storm on Friday
night forty miles off tho North Carolina coast
and we'll below Halleras.
The Names death list consists Of I. G.
Kozel. apprentice, dashed TO death against
Eurrets and body lost at sea; John Brown,
seaman, washed overheard and dro Hned,
body not recovered: A. B. Nelson, private
United States marines, washed ovelboari
and drowned, body lost.
Tho Marblehead lost Ships Carpenter
Strawhat, who was dashe to death ty the
sea. His body was secured AMI buried at
sea on Sunday. Seven OF the carpenters
gang, who were at work on the sea anchor,
were hurled against the superstructtlre OF
The ship by the sea and more or less 5ured.
They were: Dennis Ryan, black imlth;
Charles Osborne, shipwrlght; apprentices,
Scan!an and Resan and Kicker ard two
others. Kicker sustained compound. frac-
ture OF the skull. and his condition is serious.
When the storm began to gather on Fri
day night the Admiral si2na!led fron the
New York for tho ships to stand together.
The storm was blowing from the southeast.
Il steadily increased during the ntglt and
the four ships were separated SO heavily
did the New York roll that the big eight
inch guns in the turrets were lashed down
with heavy hawsers.
The boatswain. William Anderson while
on the forward deck. was struck from his
5oul ny d SEA ouu lalotOu ~ SoAo
aft. Naval Cadet Castleman, while on the
forward quarter deck, also lost his footing
and was about to go over the side " len M
managed to seize . life line and save his
own life. When the sea was shipped astern
The sounding apparatus was knocked to
flinders, aud one Of the officers was nearly
dashed over the side.
When morning came the Maine was stEhted
and spoken. The battle ship had the most
trying experience OF the feet. The nppren..
dce Kozel was struck by terrible sea aud
his life was dashed out of him. The waters
carried his body overheard. Two men
Jumped after him as ne was being carried
away. They were Seamen John Brown and
Marine Alex Nelson. In trying to save
Kozel they lost their lives, for they. too'
we're carried out into the mountains o. water.
Charles Haskell was washed overheard at
the same time. When these four men went
overheard WilliamJ. Ceeelmau, u Inn 1sman,
vas standing on the poop deck. he saw the
upturned face OF Koze. floating by.
Creelman dived over the stern and struck
out to save him. Meantime two life buoYs
had been thrown over. Haskell got ono OF
them. Brown, Nelson and Kozel disappeared,
and the brave Creelrnan was struggling tar
from the buoy intended for him. Haskel
SAW him and reached him in time 20 save
bis lie.
On board the Maine board OF inquiry re-
ported on the loss Of the three men Ihey
highly commended Creeman's brave attempt
to rescue Kozel. He will b. recommended
for lifc-saver's medal ofthe first cl;ss.