The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-29

IN violence, and as the TIDE turned feed
the lookout on the forward bridge OF the
Brooklyn announced that TIT ship vas
dragging its anchor. The officer Of tis
deck simultaneously reported that the
Brooklyn was getting in dangerous pro$-
unity TO the battleship Massachusetts,.
Captain Cookts officer. Mason. went TO
the bridge Immediately and ordered ths
second anchor down. Al this time the
wind was blowing so fsrcely that tho
men could hardly keep their fee; on deck
The second anchor ran out about twenty
fathGms Of chain and stuck and th1 bis
ship stopped and for short time breasted
bravely the wind and tide. But In few
minutes she began 10 go back slowly. and
II was evident that there was no hold for
the anchors. The signal was Immediately
given TO prepare 20 get under way and ia
the meantime II was hoped that the auch-
ors would catch and hold. Faster and
faster she went back. her big broad sides
swinging 70 tho dangerous ram on the
prov OF the Massachusetts. The latter
Was sigualed 10 play out her cable and
drop away and she did 50. nj the mean
time on the Brooklyn the men in charge
OF the forward compartments went IN
their stations. closing the water-tight
compartments and preparing without any
outward signs OF excitement for the ex-
pected collision
The Massachusetts cleared away her
big booms and prepared FOR the collision.
not daring to ship the anchor for fear Of
running herself on the sand-0er ga close
proximity. or drifting into the Texas.
Faster and faster went the Brooklyn TO-
ward the ba,tleship, and tho men Al the
stations on both vessels stood unfinch-
ingly. ready 10 perform the special duties
assigned them In case ~ collision There
was no confusion. on the bridge. with
cool heads. sharp eyes and active brains
wre Caeptain Cook and his executive Of
hcers. while on the afterbridge. not In
terfering with the management Of the Of
fcers Of the ship. stood Schiey and his
flag Lieutenant. WATCHING with interest. but
with as htgIe excitement as they would
a practice. the big chips coming together.
A conflict Of orders would have meant
great disaster. but there was none.
An order from the captain. and one %
the big anchors came rafting up and tbs
shift drifted on httIs faster toward its
evident fate Then, In obedience 20 the
helm. tho stern. now almost scraplng ths
Massachusett bow. swung out ard tho
head partly controlled BY ths anchor.
swung IN az II 20 take the blow. Il was
within a few yards q the huge battle
ship and all were awaiting the crash. Cap
tain Cook looked over the port side q The
bridge and then said sharply: Pull
ghpeed astern" There was a cianE q
bells. a saiver. a. the big engines turned.
and then the cruiser slid rapidly clear o.
the Massachusetts,. with barely hand %
spare.
"CIeveriy done" said Commodore
schlsy. a. ha went down % breakfast.
Clever BsaEnsrship. perfect disoipiins
and es,ol-headed Judgment had avsrtsd =
disaster.
This ship oosys her engines perfectly.
said Captain Cook modeStIy. after be had
anchored further cut
The storm continued without aba srnsut
all day. and the patrol boats that ksip
he aroor hae rough r. chs ~ork- tbs
morning there wzs little zD4tsTnsat o. he