The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-03
NARSH|PS N GREAT PERIL
Narrow Escape of Two
of Flying Squadron.
SPLENDID SEAMANSHIP.

During the Severe Storm at Hampton
Road. the Brooklyn Drags Her An
chOrs Rushing Down Upon the
Sharp Prov Of the Massachusetts.
BY Cool-Headedness- Perfect Dis
ciplfne and Ffrst-CIass S~eananship
n Fearful Disaster 4. Ayerted.
On board the flagship Brooklyn, of
Fortres Monroe. April 2S.-For thirty
six hours the flying squadron was IN
able 10 communicate with shore. The
storm struck h "a Tuesday night.
came UP Hampton Roads like a fury
1t whistled at the ate of ninety miles
an hour through the great superstruc-
ture OF the flagship Brooklyn and
whipped UP the sea 50 that the white
foam broke in huge masses over the
decks OF the Massachusetts and the
Texas. The heavy draft Of the big
war vessels made it impossible for
them to get into smooth water and
they had 10 stand the brunt of the
storm.
b IIIOI mig the SIDIIl Increased
in violence and as the tide turned
flood, the lookout on the forward
bridge of the Brooklyn announced that
ship was dragging its anchor. INle
ofhcer OF the deck simultaneously re
ported that the Brooklyn was getting
in dangerous proximity TO the ba;.!a-
ship Massachusetts. Captain Cook and
officer Mason went TO the
bridge Immediately and ordered the
SECOND nrrhD, zlAuro A. lit .:~o l.
wind was blowing SO Hereby the men
could hardly keep their feet on deck.
The secOn anchor ran out about TWEEN
ty-fathOmS of chain and struck and
the big ship stopped and for a short
time breasted the wind and tide. But
in a few minutes she began TO back
slowly and it was evident that there
was no hold for the anchors. This sig
nal was Immediately given t prepare
TO get under way. Faster and faster
she went back, her big broad side
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 compartments
Went to their stations, closing the
water tiSh, compartments and prepar-
ing without n outward evidence of
tAcIl61lI6ll " lIHt tNptCltu cOIlLSlDll,
The Massachusetts cleared away her
big booms and prepared for the col
lisiOn, not daring to ship 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 1t the stations ON both YES
sells stood unfiinchingly, ready to per-
form the special duties assigned them
Tn
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 management of
the officers of the ship stood Commo-
lore Schley and his flag lieutenant
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 mean 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 a little faster toward
its evident fate. Then, in obedience to
the helm, the stern, now almost scrap
ing the Massachusetts, bow, swing out
and the head partly controlled by the
anchor swings as if to TAX the blow.
1t is within : few yards OF the hug
battleship and all are awaiting the
crash. Captain Cook lCOks 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 Massachu-
sets with barely a hand TO spare.
"Cleverlv DONE says Commodore
Schley as he goes down to breakfast.
Clever steamship, perfect dicipiine
and cool-headed judgment had avert
ed a disaster. This ship obeys her
engines perfectly" sale Captain Cook,
m0destly. after he had anchored fur
Their out.
Toward the afternoon the storm
cleared off. and the heavy seas quickly
subsidized. Boats began running from
the ships and communication with
the shore was resumed. The steamers Of
the Boston and Providence line and of
the Old Dominion Steamship Company,
which were delayed yesterday even
ing. left as usual tonight. Anxiety
is felt as 10 a large
three-rasted disabled by loss Of main
top-mast. part Of the fore-mast. and
rails and anchored near ChicOrni-
leo life saving station. which is ninety
miles south of Virginia beach, and
twenty miles north of Cape Hatteras.
The ShOoner whose name was not
known. was anchored TWO miles north
of the station, and was thought 10 be
in danger if the wind continued strong
from the northeast. this last lntelIl-
gence coming early yesterday morning.
TaIegraph and telephone wires from
Virginia Beach to the south are many
Of hen down. as only ape Henry
and Virginia Beach We're heard from
last night. A section Of the Virginia
naval reserves acting as a signal corps
is stationed az Cape Henry, n Is
having a taste Of rough weather.
Bucklen's Arnica Salve
Tho hsoSt Salya in the world for Cuts.