The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-03-29
CANNON OVERHEARD
Ricketty Bridge Leading to
the u. S. S. Portsmouth
Co1lapses.
RESERVES AND GUN IN THE WATER
Twelve Men and a Boy Get a
Cold Bath-All Pulled
Out Safely.
.ESERVEs AND GUN IN THE WATER

Submerged in mud and water, within a
few feet of the old sloop of war Ports
mouth, at the foot of Fourth street, Ho-
boken, lies today 500 pound Howitzer,
which, owing to the collapse of a rickety
bridge built by the city of Hoboken, fell
into the river last night, carrying with it
twelve seamen of the Battalion of the
East, Naval Reserve and a small Hobo
ken gammin. The water was shallow and
all escaped in safety. Orders were issued
several days ago by Commander Wash
ington Irving for the Newark division to
return to the Portsmouth the Howitzer
which it has at its drill room in Newark
vision started from Newark about eight
O'Clock.
Seldom, if ever, since the days of 61
has such a scene been enacted as was
witnessed on Broad street, when the
division paraded along that thoroughfare,
dragging their HoWitzer behind them.
They had to travel about one mile and a
half on their way to the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna and Western Railroad depot to
board train for Hoboken. The reserve
at the depot was surrounded by friends.
From the time Lieutenant Goldingay, who
was in command, gave the word TO march,
and until the depot was reached there was
continuous cheering for the Red, White
and Blue. AT the ire houses they passed
the screeching of the engine whistles
added to the excitement.
All along the line of march the crowd
kept swelling in numbers until the street
from curb to curb was one dense moving
mass. There was no martial music, but
the cheers of the crowd brought people
to the windows of their houses and flags
and handkerchiefs fiuttered in the breeze
The DIVISION about sixty strong. arrived
at Hoboken on the Delaware, Lackawan-
ma and Western Railroad, at o'clock,
and marched along River street, drag
ging the mounted howitzer behind them.
A crowd followed the procession, and
when it reached the foot of Fourth street
it was surrounded by nearly 500 people.
The Portsmouth is moored about $50 feet
rickety plank walk, about three feet
WIDE built on piles. The walk was con-
structed years ago, and has been in q
dangerous condition for some time. AS
ant George H. Mather, who was in COM
mand of the division, stationed two men
at the entrance to keep the mob back,
while the hoWitZer was hauled along the
walk toward the ship.
The gun crew, consisting of twelve men,
pulled and tGgged at the rope and wheels
aatil they had moyed the piece t2 ar within
stuck fast between the narrow ratings
and Lieut.. Goldingay, who. was. COM
manding the gunners, ordered the hoWitz-
er diSmounted and carried to the ship in
sections. The crew had scarcely begun
to carry out the order when, without
warning, about thirty feet of the walk on
which they were standing collapsed, and
the howitzer, twelve men and a boy
SplaShed into the water. The water be-
ing only four or five feet deep however,
the men soon scrambled up on the re-
naming portion of the walk. The boy
who had stolen his way along the walk,
unnoticed by the militiamen, described
himself as John Martin, fourteen years
old, of Washington street. He was
unable to swim and would have
probably been drowned had not Lieut..
Goldingay jumped into the water and
rescued him.
The Reserves took the accident in good
humor. They were escorted to the boiler
room on the ship, where they were given
dry clothing. The accident cut off ac-
cess to the ship from the land and those
who We're on board were obliged to sum
mon boatman to get ashore. 1t is prob
able that the howitzer will be raised at
low tide today.
All was hustle and activity on board the
Portsmouth last evening. Captain Irving
and his officers We're busy in the cabin
preparing the detail for duty on the mon
itor Montauk. Whether the list was com
pleted last night or not is not known.
Captain Irving refused to talk upon the
subject Ali that is known is that the de-
tail will consist of five commissioned Off
GERS, five chief petty officers and eighty
seamen and petty officers. The five COM
missioned officers have been ordered to
hold themselves in readiness for 'sea
duty The others have not been notified
yet.
Twenty new recruits were examined by
Surgeon Simpson and accepted last night.
The second division went through it's reg
ular gun drill and it was witnessed by a
large number Of spectators.