The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1900-07-06
TWENTY THIRD YEAR.
PRIDE OF THE NAVY AGROUND.
Peerless Oregon On a Rock on the
Chinese Coast.

feerless Oregon On a Rock on the
Chinese Coast.
Washington, June 3O-The following
ulspatch was received at the navy de-
| the Oregon:
"Chefoo, June 29.-Secretarv Of the
Navy: Anchored yesterday in dense
loR ~ Iathoms OF water three miles
SouIh OF the How Re light, in the Gulf
VI e,Chl-LA. Sent out two boats and
sounded, the least water being 81, faith
oLls' Inc water was clear and we got
| uhuer way and struck Pinnacle rock.
IheFe Is much water in the forward com
partment. | shall charter steamer if
possible at Cheioo and tighten the ship.
mere is a rock through the side Of the
snip above the double bottom about
frame -. There are also small holes
through the bottom Of the ship.
WILDE"
The Iris and Zlfro have gone to the
| rescue.
The point where the Oregon grounded
ls 90 miles west northwest of Chefoo.
laku Is $50 miles west of Pinnacle rock.
where she struck.
PInnacle rock, where the Oregon ran
aground, is about 20 feet high and lies
three and two-third5 miles south Of
Hawk island. The rock il encircled by
a shoal and should not be approached
nearer than three cables. According TO
| the photographic bureau officials there
Is strong current from three to five
knots speed always prevalent in this vi
entity and this fact, together with the
dense log that prevailed at the time.
greatly enhanced the danger OF navigat-
ing the Oregon.
Mr. WI, the Chinese minister, said to-
day that this particular spot was
graveyard OF shipping.
1t may be said that because OF the
facts set out in Captain Wilder's tele-
gram the officials are not inclined to
censure him. He was under orders To
hurry, warrantihg the assumption of
risk. He appears to have observed all
the usual precautions possible under
shore orders, and it is known the charts
OF that section are inadequate.
Hope for the Oregon.
Washington, July 2-The following
cablegram has been received at the navy
department from Admiral kempff:
"ChefOO, July 1.-Secretary of the
Navy, Washington: The Oregon has
run aground. 1t is not in a dangerous
position; about 3S degrees north lati-
tude, 20 degrees 10 minutes east longi
tude. Have sent to her assistance three
naval vessels. 1t is reported that there
ls water in one compartment. the COM
mander of the Oregon did not request
assistance, the commander Of a Japanese
ms n Of h. h,n -
Admiral kempfi's favorable report of
the condition al the Oregon is believed
by Secretary Long to be based on the
report OF the commander of the japan
ese vessel which generously offered
assistance
Oregon is Afioat.
Shanghai, July 2.-The United States
battleship Oregon. Which ran ashore
off the island off POOkie, in the MiamO
Tao group. 30 miles northeast of Chefoo,
June 2S, has been foate1 off and is
expected to reach Port Arthur.
Washington, July 3.-Secretary Long
this morning received the following
cablegram from Lieutenant A. L. Key,
naval attache at the T. $. legation at
Toxic, Japan, in regard to the ground
ing of the Oregon:
Toxic, July =. - Secretary Navy,
Washington, d. c.: Leave for Port
Arthur tomorrow. Ii Oregon cannot
dock at Nagasaki, Japanese navy de
partment tenders the use of either kure
or YokOsuka docks. Offers any assist
ance desired. Has ordered Akitisushima
from Chefoo to the Oregon Have cabled
Wilde offer Of docks"
The government officials are disap-
pointed at the statement that the Ore
gon cannot be dOcked at Port Arthur,
as that place is only about 60 miles
from where she struck. Nagasaki is 600
miles distant, but can be reached by the
Oregon without venturing far outside
of the smooth waters OF Pe-Chi-Li bay.
The japanese vessel Akitisushma, which
Lieutenant Key reported as going to
the help OF the Oregon, is the famous
cruiser which covered herself with re-
nOwn at the battle Of YaIa.