Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-12
WAS SWEPT OVERHEARD
ansnl Lss 1Yscts the Drowning # Ensign
Hzsckinridge.
One - fhe Msst Popular caAets Ever
NJ the Naval Academy-Inter.
ment NJ Lexington, Ky.

Assistant Secretary Day OF the State De-
partmert received a cable message from
Consul General Lee at Havana this morn
ing as follows:
Ensign J. r. Breckenridge Of Gushing
was washed overheard and drowned few
hours before arrival Of vessel in this port.
Body recovered and arranging to have 1t
enbalmed and sent home tomorrow Qo-
day.. VIII telegraph route"
Captain Crowinshield. chief of the bu-
reau Of navigation, received the following
telegram this morning on the same subject
from Captain Sigsbee commanding the
battle ship Maine at Havana:
Ensign Breckinridge OF Gushing fell
overheard in heavy sea by parting of life
line and drowned Body recovered. De-
partment break news TO family. Will send
body back to Key West tomorrow by Oil
vette, if practicable. Otherwise by Cush-
ing. Will send Gushing back when sea
subsidies"
DetniIs of the Accident.
special news dispatch from Havana
sent last night gave the following details
OF the sad occurrence:
Ensign Joseph c. Breckenridge. execu-
tive officer OF the torpedo boat Gushing,
was washed overheard and drowned during
that vessels stormy voyage from Key West
evening with the body and signaled the
Maine for medical assistance. All efforts
to resuscitate Ensign Breckenridge were
futile
The Gushing left Key West this morning
with stores for the Maine. She pitched
heavily in fearful sea. AT 1 pm. she
slowed engines in sight of the coast of Gu
ba.
Soon afterward Ensign Breckenridge.
who was stationed forward, was carried
OF his feet by a heavy sea. He clutched
The lifeline as he was swept aft. The line
parted and the ensign went overheard
An attempt was made to launch a life
boat. but it was swamped, throwing two
more men into the water. The Cushing
finally obeye1 her helm. swung around and
maDeuvered near the men in the water.
They We're all taken out.
Quick medical aid was necessary to save
the ensign's life, and the Gushing headed
for Havana with her throttles opened She
tore through the heavy seas on a race with
death The crew meanwhile adopted the
usual means of resuscitation. Upon arrival
in Havana. the Names surgeon was ashore.
A message was sent TO Consul General Lee
who sent DR.. Burgess. The latter said it
was doubtful If medical aid could have
saved the ensign. who was then dead
Lieutenant Gleaves, commander of the
Gushing, is heartbroken The crew is deep
~ affected. as Ensign Breckenridge was
much emotion in speaking Of the valiant
efforts of the men 10 rescue the ensign"
Greatly Deplorcd Tragedy.
Joseph Cabell Breckenridge was well
known here, and his sudden taking off is
generally deplored. He is the son Of Gen j.
c. Breckinridge. inspector general of the
army, nephew of Mr.. w. P. c. Breckin-
ridge, formerly a representative in Con-
sress. and cousin of Mr.. Clifton r.
Breckenridge ex-minister to Russia. He
" as bern at the family homestead in Ken
trcky, but spent most of his boyhood and
youth in this city. living with his father
at 1914 Connecticut avenue He was ap-
pointed tc the Naval Academy from Ken
lucky and was graduated July l. 1880
Since that time he was successfully
attached to the battle ship Maine, under
Capt. Crowninshield. the battle ship Texas
under Capt. Glass. and the torpedo boat
Gushing. under Lieut.. Gleaves. He was
executive on the last named vessel when
Re met his death. He was commissioned
an ensign July l, 1897. and soon after was
ordered to duty on the Gushing.
Lieut.. Gleaves found him such an excep-
tionally fine young officer while on duty on
the Texas that he asked to have him spe-
cially detailed on torpedo service. He was
thus placed OH the Cushing.
In the words of one of his classmates at
the academy young BreI kinridge was enc
OF the most popular men that ever grad
lated at the academy. from the time he
entered Until he was graduated, and his
record since then, though short, was ex-
Ceptionally good. He was a lover of a.h-
letfc sport, and was member of the acad-
envy foot ball team of 1894. He was twenty
six years of age
Gen. Breckenridge was informed of his
sens death late last night after he had re-
turned home from the Presidents recep-
ton to the army and navy. He was almost
overcome by the news, and broke it as
gently as he could to his wife and the
other members of his family. He has FIVE
sons and three daughters. One of the young
ladies accompanied him to the White House
and one of the boys was at the dance at
Rauschers when the sad news was re-
ceived. Much sympathy is expressed for
the family in their bereavement.
1t is stated at the Navy Department that
the remains of the young officer will be
taken to Lexington, KY, where the inter-
ment will be made. A naval officer repre-
sentiEg the department will receive the re-
mains at Key West and escort them to
Lexington by WAY of Tampa