The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-29
WAS NO CONFUSION
THE BROOKLYN IN CLOSE PROM
NIFTY TO THE BATTLESHIP
MASSACHUSETTS,.
THE STORM CAME TUESDAY NIGHT
" This Ship 0beys her Engines Perfectly"
Said Capt. Cook :" CIeverIy Done" Said
Commodore SchIey'Naval Reserves
Stationed at Cape Henry.


Monroe. April 2S-For thirty-siX hours
the Flying Squadron was unable to com
nunicate with the shore. The storm
struck the coast Tuesday night and came
M HAMPTON Roads like fury 1t whist
lea at the rate of ninety miles an hour
through the great superstructure of the
flagship Brooklyn and whipped out the
sea so that the white foam broke i'll huge
masses over the decks of the Massachu-
setts and the Texas. The heavy draft
of the big war vessels made it impos-
sible for them to get into smooth water
and they had to stand the brunt of the
storm. Toward morning the storm in
creased in violence and as the tide turn
ed flood, the lookout on the forward
bridge of the Brooklyn announced that
the ship was dragging its anchor. The
officer of the deck simultaneously re-
ported that the Brooklyn was getting III
dangerous proximity to the battleship
Massachusetts. Captain Cook and EX-
ecutive Officer Mason went to the bridge
immediately and ordered the second
anchor down. At this time the wind was
blowing so tiercely the men could hardly
keep their feet on deck. The second an
Choir ran out about twenty fathoms Of
chain and stuck and the big ship stopped
and for a short time breasted the wind
and tide. But in few minutes she be-
gan to back slowly and ii was evident
that there was no hold for the anchors.
The signal was Immediately given to pre-
pare TO get under way. Faster and
faster she went back, her big broadside
swinging toward the dangerous ram on
the prov of the Massachusetts. The
latter was signalled 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 commandments
went to their stations, closing the water
tight compartments and preparing with
out any outward evidence of excitement
for the expected collision.
The Massachusetts cleared away her
big booms and prepared for the collision.
not daring to shin the anchor for fear
of running herself on the sand bar in
close proximity or drifting into the
Texas. Faster and faster went the
Brooklyn toward the battleship and the
men at the stations on both vessels
stood unfiinchingly. ready to perform the
specialties assigned them in case of coll
lisIon. There was no confusion. On the
bridge with cool heads, sharp eyes and
active brains were Captain Cook and
his executive officer, while on the after
bridge, not interfering with the manage
ment of the officers of the shin stood
S.h nj Hox Eo.
ant. Sears. watching with interest. 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 rattleing nm
and the ship drifts on a little faster to-
ward its evident fate. Then. in obedience
to the helm. the stern. now almost scrap
ing the Massachusetts bow. swings ont
and the head partly controlled by the
anchor swings in as if to take the blow.
1t is within a few yards of the huge bat
tleship and al are awaiting the crash.
Captain Cook looks over the port side
of the bridge and then says sharply.
Full speed astern." There is a clang
of bells. a shiver as the big engines turn
and then the cruiser slides rapidly clear
OF the Massachusetts with barely a hand
to spare. "CIeverly DONE says Com
modore Schley. as he goes down to
breakfast
Clever Seamanship, perfect discipline
and cool-headed Judgment had ayertcd
Il disaster. This ship obeys her engines
perfectly" said Captain Cook. modestly.
after he had anchored further out.
Toward afternoon the storm cleared
off. and the heavy sea quickly subsidized.
Boats began running from the ships and
communication with shore was resumed
The steamers of the Boston and Proyi-
dence line and of the Old Dominion
Steamship Company which were de-
tanned today. left as usual tonight
Anxiety is felt as to large schooner
three-masted. disabled by loss Of main
top mast part Of fore mast and rails
and anchored near Chicamicomico Life
Saving stationS which is ninety miles
South of Virginia Beach. and twenty
miles North of Cape Hatteras. The
schooner whose name is not known. was
anchored two miles North of the sta.
ton. and was thought to be in danger
II the wind continued strong from the
Northeast. this last intelligence coming
early Yesterday morning.
Telegraph and telephone wires from
VIRGINIA Beach to the South are man,
Of them down. as only Cape Henry and
Virginia Beach were heard from last
night. \ section of the Virginia Nava
Reserves acting as signal CORPS is sta.
toned ut Cape Henry. and is having
blast of rough weather.