The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-16
HOPELESS.
Cannot Rescue
the Teresa.
M'CALLA'S OPINION.
Description Given of the
Wreck Off Cat Island.

Washington, Nov. 15.-The navy de-
partment late today received the fol-
lowing cablegram:
Nassau, Nov. 15.-Secretary Navy,
Washington, D. c.: Arrived with the
Potomac and Vulcan at the scene Of
the wreck. On arrival 1 took charge
OF the Teresa and hoisted the flag. AZ
ter careful examination Of the stran-
ded ship and situation, and careful
consideration of instructions from the
department, and approaching the great
interest taken by the nation and gov
eminent in the fate OF the Teresa. T re-
gret exceedingly to express the opinion
that 1T is hopeless to expect to rescue
the ship
Craven, Blow, Hobson and Crfttenden
confirm my opinion. The wreck is
stranded in from is to q feer, with head
TO northward. With exception of a, few
feet astern and forward, where it is
cut away, the ship rests on a rocky reef.
covered with coral sand, interspersed
with boulders, a half mile south of
Bird Point. The line Of reef extends
outside of the wreck, both to the north
ward and southwark, ship having been
driven into slight inclination in the
reef. The surf from astern and out
side of the ship continues between be-
tween ship and shore, then runs out
slightly to point forward of and outside
the ship again to north. Small passage
thus left for small boats 10 pass under
stern to lee side
In fairly good weather 1t would be
possible. I think for a small tug
drawing ten feet water, in hands of
very skilfful seaman, to pass close I'M
der the stern of the Teresa in a. smooth
sea to make fast to the lee side for the
purpose of supplying power for wreck
ing pumps. IT, however, such vessel
was caught inside the Teresa by storm,
probabilities are she would be swamp
ed by seas or thrown on the reef. Surf
thus cuts off communication between
| the ship and shore, except ait certain
stages of the tide, or when there is very
! little sea running.
During heavy seas the breakers
would also be continuous outside the
| ship.
| 1 passed ON the wreck, examining
were not flooded as well as ships sur
roundings. accompanied by Craven
who had previously inspected the Ter
| eSa, and Crittenden. who was perfect v
familiar with the ship.
| The best way to illustrate the gem
! eral condition of the wreck is to say
that the two sets of engines, boilers
and their foundations form part of the
reef itself around which the rest OF
the ship works laterally and vertically
| The same effect would be produced, in
my opinion, if she had settled on the
| pinnacle of a rock. Sunday the trade
wind was very light, and there was lit
| tie difficulty in approaching the wreck
| from the Vulcan, but communication
with the shore would have been very
| difficult in q boat at one stage of the
| tide. 1 can best describe the condition
of the ship generally by stating that
she is already telescoped, and my views
| by expressing conviction that as the
rivets are sheared by the constant
working of the ship, the telescope
| process must continue
In considering the practicability of
| rescuing the Teresa, the fact must be
considered that she lies upon a coral
reef with but thin layer of sand on
| the windward side Of an island con
stantly exposed to seas due to trade
winds and to the influence Of many
storms developing to eastward or
southwark. The character of the bot
! tom makes an anchorage off the east
ern coast of the island dangerous.
| During gales or with very heavy
seas. the wreck would not be tenable
| for working parties, which would be
| obliged to leave the ship before com
munication should be cut off with the
ship anchored outside or with the shore
! inside.
The board of officers also examined
and reported yesterday upon the ques-
ton of rescuing the Teresa. This board
confirms my report. Should the depart
ment determine to attempt to float the
stranded ship, l would recommend that
an expedition be based on Cat island
not from the ship outside the reef, and
should be very pleased to command
any organization prepared to work on
| the wreck. In addition to the turret
guns, there are four siX-inch guns on
the Teresa taken from one of the
wrecked ships and remounted in GU
antanamo. (Signed) McCalla.