The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-02-16
They Were Enthusiastic Over the Conduct
Of Captain McGrath.
LEFT A LETTER OF APPRECIATION.
Steamer Stuck b. Storm on Monday and Quar-
iermasIsr Vas Washed From Tho Bridge
and losl MAY 30 Sasd.

Steam collier John ]. Hill arrived at
the Old Colony dock in Newport at $3.50
o'clock yesterday afternoon, with the
passengers and mail from the Boston
fruit company5 steamer Admiral
Dewey. which is ashore at Cuttyhunk
The passengers, their baggage and
the mails were put ashore. and Agent
Jordan was at once summoned to get
a special train To take the party to Bos-
ton. This was made up and the party
left for Boston at 7:20
The passengers were a rather jolly set
OF men and womcn-f fourteen Of the
former aud four of the latter. All were
glad To be able 10 get to Boston SO soon
as At one time they feared they could
not get there last night. All were very
enthusiastic over the conduct of Capt.
McGrath of the Dewey, and said that
before leaving the ship they had all
signed letter 20 that effect and given
II 10 the captain.
The passage UP from Jamaica was
rather an uneVentful one until Monday.
when the storm struck the Dewey, and
old travellers i'm the party say that had
she not been stanch craft. well ham
died, she would have foundered. The
storm was SO heavy that Charles An
derson, one OF the quartermasters. was
washed from the bridge and lost dur
ing the night. The bridge railing was
broken and the captain had To be
lashed to the rigging.
The party having successfully passed
through this trying ordeal felt almost
at home until about 3 o'clock yesterday
morning, when all were awakened by "a
sudden jar. They got out and learned
that the vessel had grounded near the
life saving station ON Cuttyhunk
The passengers had "A good chance to
see how the accident happened a
heavy mist rose from the water. so that
the water and land appeared to be the
same. The mist also distorted the view
OF the lights marking the passage. so
that some seemed To be in a different
direction from what they actually were
In. IT was according TO the passengers,
a very peculiar effect, one that they
could not account for; all agree, how
ever. that il existed
The captain quieted the passengers
by saying thgt the vessel was aground,
but that there was no danger. Hot
coffee was served, and later breakfast
vas eaten, as though nothing had hap
pened.
When il became daylight II was found
that the vessel was head on. near the
life saving station on Cuttyhunk.
boat was lowered. and the second Oft
Ger started to CIV Head To telegraph
the owners, but learned that there was
no communication by wire. He then
started for Tarpauln cove.
About this time the gunboat Topeka,
from Newport for Boston. came along.
The Dewey slgnalled for assistance, but
the Topeka. it is said. only showed
flag for pilot and proceeded, greatly
To the disgust oi the passengers. Later
the Topeka picked MP the Dewey's boat
and towed IL TO Tarpaulin cove. whence
word was sent 10 Boston.
The Topeka later spoke the collier
Hole, and the hin stopped at Guilty
baggage and the main. and arrived at
Newport with them about $50. as stat
ed above. AS she left The dock. after
landing the passengers. the party gave
three hearty cheers for her captain and
crew.
The Dewey went ashore very easily,
and nearly at low water. When the
passengers left she had about ten feet
of water in her forward compartment,
hut was apparmtlN uot much iniurcdby
her mishap. TIE CrcW te.,in light ring
her forward. hioWinp over arour 10
harrclg OF Inns juice an uu great guam
THY uf oranges. Those iluated ashore.
and the entire populace of CuttyhUnk
turned out TO save them even the sheep
being called upon to help cat up the or
auges. The party believes that unless
southwest storm sets in, the Dewey
can be saved.