New-York tribune., 1900-07-03
CONDITION OF THE OREGON.
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT MORE THAN
EVER DISCOURAGED REPORT
FROM ADMIRAL KEAIPFF.
lBr TELEGRAPH TO THE Tribune. J

=.
Washington. July 2-The Navy Department
was more than ever discouraged about the
Oregon to-day. and unless word comes soon that
the splendid ship is actually hoated scant hope
for her rescue will remain The only dispatch In
relation TO the vessel since Captain wnde's ex-
tremely depressing report OF Friday was the
following this morning from Admiral Kempr:
Che-Foo. July l, 1900.
Secretary OF Navy, washington:
Oregon has run aground She is not in a
dangerous position, about IS degrees north latt-
tude, 20 degrees 40 minutes east longitude Have
sent 10 her assistance three naval vessels II is
reported that there is water In one compart-
ment. The commander Of the Oregon did not
request assistance, japanese man-of-wsr hav-
ing boarded vessel KEMPFF.
The Admiral when ne sent this dispatch on
Saturday evidently had less detailed informa-
ton than that received by the Department di-
rect from Captain Wilde on the same day. his
knowledge probably having been limited to what
a japanese officer told him. The japanese ship
had in all probability left the Oregon before
Captain Wilde made the careful investigation on
which he based his detailed report 10 Admiral
Remey and TO Washington
The fact that nothing has been heard directly
from the vessel or from the ships ordered 10
her assistance for more than sixty hours is ex-
ceedingly disheartenng. Hov-Ki Light is only
thirty miles from Che-Foo- The Oregon's
iS@SA4NilGS CONAQ the distance IN E1TSs hours,
Unless tyDhoon is raging
Several Of the vessels which are now running
between Che-Foo and Taku and CARRYING dis
patches must pass within speaking distance Of
the Oregon daily. It is inconcefvabIe that these
ships would not bring good news If it were OBJ
tainable
The serious injury reported by Captain Wilde
the rock through side OF ship above double
bottom about frame 10" This was at the chain
locker, wlere the great cables used for anchor
ing the vessel in deep water are stored. It is
only 20 feet from the bow and the ship is $50
feet long. These chains and anchors weighing
over forty tons, could have been hoisted over
board or run far aft quickly by the ships own
engines. and would have lifted her bow over
three feet Such lit, with higher tide than
when she struck, ought to have raised her
clear and permitted her to float. unless she had
suffered other grave injuries. which Captain
Wilde had not discovered when ne made his re-
port and sent for assistance. His orninous clos
ing words, Some holes also through bottom Of
ship" are now taken 10 indicate that he knew
the ship was leaking in more than the bow
compartment and he had not YET determined
exactly how the water vas getting in BY
holes" ne may have meant under the circum-
stances. that plates were perforated OF THAI
seams had strained open If the grounding Of
the Oregon occurred at high tide as is now the
general belief al the Navy Department the
ship would have been severely strained when
the tide fell and with a tidal range Of ten feet
her hull seams must have opened In the Con
struction Bureau it is said that a tidal fall OF
five feet. with end Of the ship firmly fixed
would probably prove fatal TO any heavy battle
ship.
Secretary Long said to-day that no vessel had
been dispatched to China TO take the place Of
the Oregon AT present ne has no intention Of
sending another vessel there.