The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-06
STRANDING OF OREGON
DESCRIBED IN DETAIL.
Capt. Wflde's Report of the Mishap
to the Famous Bnttleship Re
ceived by Navy Department.

WASHINGTON, Sept. a-The navy de-
official report OF Capt Wilde. OF the bat
tfeship Oregon, OF the circumstances at
tending the grounding Of that ship in
the Gulf of Pechin last June. and her
successful salvage. The report goes to
confirm the departments previously ex-
pressed conviction that the grounding
was not In any respect attributable TO
fault on the part of Capt Wilde or any
officer OF the Oregon. who, in fact. APP
pear TO have taken great precautions TO
guard against the accident
The repairs have been made and the
Oregon arrived yesterday at Woosung,
where she is TO form one of the interna-
tionaI feet to guard the transport SER
vice during the Chinese troubles. Capt
Wilde's report says:
The Oregon grounded upon an un-
June ,ease ~ Tba ,s g S q, s p
and one-half fathoms over its highest
part The chart shows at this place sew
enteen to eighteen fathoms PreviQls to
the grounding of the ship I received ur-
gent orders from Hongkong. from the
commander-in-ch.ef. to proceed to %saku
as soon as ready. This order was dated
June 20. and was received the same after
noon. The Zafairo arrived at 4:10 p. m.
on June g. and the moment men and
stores were taken from her the Oregon
went to sea, leaving Hongkong at $50 p,
m Weather fine and clear. The Goth fog
set I'm very thick. Slowed to half speed.
At intervals fog lifted and ship was sent
tory light was sighted at STA o'clock on
night Of June "a; northeast promontory
light was not sighted, as fog had again
heard. Ship was being .ieadedf right
along. with patent sounding machine.
on weihaiwei the fog lifted for a few
moments. just long enough for me to see
absolute FIX I had. l judged myself to
be on Chefoo by seeing some junks.
which are generally seen off that port
A steamer also crossed our bow, evident
ly bound into Chefoo from Port Arthur.
Fog Grows Dcnser.
THE fog settled down denser and dens-
er. Sounded with patent lead every half
hour. When my distance from Howk
miles slowed to five knots. and had head
men In both chains. also extra lookouts
listening for any whistle echo from any
Howkl light station. There were fully
nifty men stretched along forward on
both sides, on lookout.
Owing to density OF fog remained on
the bridge night and day since the 2sth
all hands In fact, were constantly on the
alert The whistle was being constantly
sounded. and as there was very light
air there was no reason why the light
keepers should not have heard 1t.
continued on. sounding constantly, until
las D.. M. on the 18th. when l began
deepening water. from twelve to thirteen
fathoms. when had been getting right
along to seventeen fathoms. This indi-
Gated something wrong. and getting no
Il
In seventeen fathoms OF water. Fog very
Dense Two whale boats sounded around
ship. but found no obstructions.
Oregon Strikes Rocks.
About forty-five minutes after anchor
Ing the fog suddenly. lifted and Howki
lighthouse was plainly seen. bearing
north, II west. distant three and one-third
miles. The chart showing clear water.
got under way at once. headed for Howki
light. Fog shut down again very dense
before got my anchor, but, knowing my
position. and orders being urgent, and
with starboard helm. when the vessel
brought up with three distinct thumps
Not until then did the lIghtkeeper fire
guns; they then fired two guns. accord
TAI water tight doors were instantly
closed. Engines were instantly. stopped.
but not reversed, as I feared she might
was as smooth as lake, and decided
to walt and see II she made water which
she dIs rapidly IN compartments mn !, AZ AZ
magazine and passing room.
AT once got out and provisioned all
boats, also armed and equipped same.
water sent diver down and located break.
Another diver was procured. who located
one long break. extending distance OF
twenty-five feet on port side forward.
Relief steamer Chartered.
The current running a great velocity,
divers can only work for two hours at
high and low water slack Sent Lieut.
Leigh navigator. to -Chefoo, on passing
French gunboat Surprise. to charter
steamers to take ammunition, coal and
stores. as ship would have to be light
ened TO get rock out of side of ship or
out OF bottom. Two steamers arrived
from Chefoo on June 90 which had been
chartered by Commander Rogers, Y. 8. 5.
Nashville.
"On July 1, at li:S7 a. m. ship foated
and swung 10 anchor, which had been
laid out astern with ten-inch hawser:
hawser parted and In order 70 avoid sink
ing chartered steamer. could not avoid
going aground a second time. ship rests
between two large boulders forward Diver
can sec under keel She shows no signs
of strains. as far as butts or 'streaks'
starting"
A subsequent report from Capt Wilde.
on the following day. July s. dated on
board ship In the gulf OF pechili saws
that he has the pleasure 10 report that
the ship fiosted or at 12;.0 that morning.
while tightening She was anchored In
seventeen and one-half fathoms Of wat
or. two and a quarter miles south OF
Howki light, and the pumps were con-
trolling the water wreckinx steamers
were with her. but the captain was able
TO report that no additional holes had
been found by the divers since going
ashore the FIRST time.
Tho ship afterward went as IL already
known. 10 Kure dock, where she was tenn
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