Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-29
300 MARINES IN PERIL.
Fears for the Safety of the Panther
md Her Lond-A Terrific
Sf0rn.

Norfolk, Va. April 2S.-No news of the
transport Panther and the cruiser Mont
gomery has been received here. Officials
at the navy yard fear disaster if the ships
were delayed on the Hatteras coast. but
the most experienced navigators unite In
saying that they ought TO have gotten well
out to sea before meeting the storm. The
Mosquito fleet at the navy yard Is being
provisioned and otherwise made ready for
departure.
On Board the Flagship Brooklyn, off
Fort Monroe, Va, April S.-For thirty-slx
hours the flying squadron was unable 10
communicate with shore on account OF
the storm that struck the coast TUESDAY
night and which came up Hampton ROADS
like a fury 1t whistled at the rate of
ninety-five miles an hour through the great
superstructure of the flagship Brooklyn and
whipped up the sea SO that the white foam
broke in huge masses over the decks of the
Massachusetts, and the Texas. The heavy
draft of the big war vessel made II Inn
possible for them to get into smooth water
and they had to stand the brunt Of the
storm. Toward. morning it increased in
violence and as the tide turned Hood the
lookout on the forward bridge of the
Brooklyn announced that the ship was
dragging its anchor. The officer OF the
deck simultaneously reported that the
Brooklyn was getting in dangerous prox-
unity to the battleship Massachusetts. Cap
, tain Cook and Executive officer Mason
went to the bridge Immediately and or
dered the second anchor down. At this
time the wind was blowing SO fiercely that
men could hardly keep their feet on deck.
The second anchor ran out about twenty
fathoms of chain and stuck, and the big
ship stopped, and for short time breasted
bravely the wind and tide. but in a few
minutes she began to go back slowly, and
it was evident that there would be no hold
for the anchors. The signal was imme-
diately given to prepare TO get under way,
and in the meantime, it was hoped, that
the anchors would catch and hold. Faster
and faster she went back, her big broad
sides swinging toward the dangerous ram
on the PROV of the Massachusetts,. The
latter was signaled to pay out her cable
and drop away, and she did so.
In the meantime on the Brooklyn the
men in charge of the forward compart-
ments went to their stations closing the
watertight compartments, and preparing.
without any outward sign or excitement,
for the expected collision.
The Massachusetts cleared away her big
booms and prepared for the collision, not
daring to ship the anchor, for fear of run
ming herself on the sandlRr In close proX-
unity. or drifting into the Texas. Faster
and faster went the Brooklyn toward the
battleship. and the men at the stations on
both vessels stood unflinchingly, ready to
perform the special duties assigned them
In case of collision.
There was no confusion. On the bridge,
with cool heads, sharp eyes and active
brains were Captain Cook and his executive
officers. while on the after bridge, not in
tcrfering with the management of the Off
GERS OF the ship, stood Schley and his
flag lieutenant. Sears. waiting with inter-
est. but with as little excitement as they
would a practice cruise. the big ships
coming together. A conflict of orders
would have meant great disaster but there
was none.
An order from the captain and one OF
the big anchors comes rafting up and
the ship drifts on little faster toward
its evident fate. Then, in obedience to the
helm, the stern. now almost scraping the
Massachusetts, bow. swings out and the
head. partly controlled by the anchor
swings in as if TO take the blow
1t is within few yards of the huge bat
tleship and all are awaiting the crash,
Captain Cook looks over the port side OF
lie pfluSe. ana tnen says Sharply. Full
speed astern." There is a clang of bells
shiver as the big engines turn. and then
the cruiser slides rapidly clear of the Mas.
sachusetts with barely a hand to spare
''Cleverly DONE says Commander Schley
as he goes down to breakfast.
Clever seamanship. perfect discipline and
oool-headed judgment had averted n dis.
aster. This ship obeys her engines per.
fectiy." says Captain Cook modestly, afte,
he had anchored further out
The storm continued without abatement
all day. and the patrol boats that keep th,
harbor closed had rough nights work
This morning there was little abatement
of the gale.
Towards afternoon the storm cleared
away and the heavy sea quickly subsided
Boats began running from the ships and
communication with shore was resumed.
The steamers of the Boston and Proyi
derce line and of the Old Dominion Steam
ship Company, which were detained yes
terday evening, left as usual tonight
Anxiety is felt as to a large three maste,
schooner. disabled by loss of main top
mast. part of foremast and rails and an
chored near Chicamico life saving station
which is ninety miles south of Virgini:
beach and twenty miles north of Cap,
Hatteras. The schooner. whose name wa
not known. was anchored two miles nortf
OF the station and was thought TO be |,
danger il the wind continued strong from
the northeast, this last intelligence comm:
early yesterday morning.