New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-12
THE MASSACHUSETTS, ACCIDENT
DAMAGE NOT so BAD AS AT FIRST SUP
POSED

DAMAGE NOT so BAD AS AT FIRST SUP
POSED.
7, was said at the Navy Yard yesterday that the
damage 10 the battle-ship Massachusetts, from
grounding on or near the Diamond Reef. off Gov
ernors Island. Saturday. was not so Dad rs NJ
first supposed \ diver sent down yesterday
morning. and made a superficial external exanliha-
ton OF the ships bottom. The report OF the ulVel
was not made public. and the officers Of the yard
and Of the shin maintained the attitude of silence
which had characterized them the day BEFORE.
Access could not be obtained TO the snip, as zap
tain Ludlow. who commands her. had given strict
orders that was 10 be admitted
The best information that could be obtained was
that the plates constituting what is known as the
ou.er skin Of the hull extending aft about thirty
feet from point on the port side, near the DOW
badly buckled by the vessel coming IN contact
with the obstruction. The buckling or the plates
started the rivets which held them In place ana
caused three Of the water-tight compartments be-
tween the inner and the outer shells of the snip 10
leak The plates which formed the outer wall OF
two additional compartments adjoining the three
were damaged by the blow but, 1t Is said. not so
seriously as TO cause leaks In those compartments
as at first supposed.
The leaks were stopped temporarily yesterday by
the use Of cement After that It was found tn be
necessary 10 keep only one pump working in order
10 keep the exposed compartments free from water
1t was arranged yesterday to place tho battle
ship in Drydock No tomorrow. The cruiser
Newark will be taken out of the same drydock to-
day TO make way for her
The crew Of the Massachusetts yesterday worked
all day removing stores and ammunition from the
ship so as to make her light enough for drydock
She had been fully stocked for a voyage
Pilot Bell finds few at the Navy Yard who agree
with him In his assertion that he did not strike a
| projecting spur Of the Diamond Reef The course
| usually followed by vessels OF the Massachusetts .
| draught In passing out from the East River at
| low tide Is said to be through the channel lying
| between Diamond Reef and the sunker reef which
lies abou. four hundred yards OF the Battery. The
depth of this channel low tide is thirtysix feet.
enough for the passage of vessels OF the deepest
draught There is another channel running east
and west which lies southwark from Diamond Reef,
and between II ard Governors Island There the
depth OF the channel is only twenty-six feet at low
tide There is for thinking that the Massa-
chusetts while trying reach the deeper passage.
was forced OF her course by ferryboat and
other craft. and into the shallow water between
Diamond Reef and Governors Island, where she
struck. In fact. the direct statement IS made by
men WAC ought to know that that the way IL
| happened.
The cruiser Brooklyn under orders to sail
from the Navy Yard yesterday afternoon at
O'clock. for Hampton Roads Mr. Bell. the master
fortunate voyage found that the same conditions
OF tide existed the day before and advised
against taking the Brooklyn through the channels
I around Governors Island when the tide WAS alb
normally low He said ne did not personally care
10 risk another accident like that of the before
The Brooklyn will probably get away this morning
could be got into condition to leave the yard in a
week.