The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1900-07-05
WARSHIP OREGON
STRIKES A ROCK
Was Hurrying to China When Tn.
fortunate Mishap Occurred.
HOLES THROUGH BOTTOM
Navy Department Notified and
Prompt Action Taken.

The following dispatches were re-
ceived at the navy department Satur-
day morning relative to the grounding
of the battleship Oregon:
"CHE Foo, June 29.-Secretary of
the Navy: Anchored yesterday, dense
fog in seventeen fathoms, three miles
south of How Ke Light, gulf of Pc
Chile. Sent out two boats and sound
ed-least water five and half fathoms.
Weather clear. Got under way and
struck Pinnacle rock. Much water in
the forward compartment. Perfectly
smooth. Shall charter steamer if
possible at Chez Foo and tighten ship.
Rock through side of ship above
double bottom about frame 19. Small
holes also through bottom of ship.
"WILDE."
"CHE Foo, JuSR o. Secretary
Navy: Iris gone to assistance of the
Oregon. RAYMOND ROGERS,
Recommending Nashville"
"HoSa KoSo, June 29.-Secretary
of the Navy, Washington: Princeton
arrived. Brooklyn leaves for Nagasaki.
The Zafiro, at Che Foo, has been sent
to assist Oregon, reported by Rogers
on rock south of How Ke light. Iris
going to her assistance. REMET.
Captain Wilde's statement of the
injury sustained by the Oregon is not
sufficient for the department to form
definite opinion as to the prospects of
saving the famous ship. They say,
however, that the ship probably can
be saved. if the weather does not be-
come rough, but unfortunately this is
the season of storms in Chinese wa
ters. The point where the Oregon
grounded is fifty miles west northwest
of Che Foo. Taku is $50 miles west
of Pinnacle rock, VIII ere she struck.
At the request of the secretary of
the navy, the state department sent
message to the Russian government at
St. Petersburg asking permission to
bring the Oregon to Port Arthur to be
docked there in the event the ship can
be hoated. At that point is the nearest
dock of sufficient size to dock the
ship, and it is part of the navy yard
possessions of the Russian govern
ment.
Secretary Long will spare no reason
able expense in the effort to save the
Oregon. Her total cost was $685.
O32. On this total the hull and ma
chinery represented s3, 222, $40.
The Oregan made herself the most
famous ship in the American navy,
and the best known ship in the naSies
of the world by her remarkable race
from San Francisco around Cape Horn
to join the feet at Key West just be-
fore the war with Spain was declared.
It was a feat unequaled in the an
nails of naval history, and an unprece-
dented test of the capabilities and
power of a modern warship. The
Oregon, under command of Captain
Charles E. Clark, began her long race
of 1000 miles against time from San
Francisco on March 10th, 1898. She
arrived at Jupiter Inlet, Fla, on May
oath and communicated with the navy
officials at Washington.
Secretary Long ordered Captain
Clark to report to the Norfolk navy
yard if his ship needed overhauling; if
not, he was to go directly to Key West.
Two days later, or on May 26th, the
Oregon joined the fleet at Key West.
She hal steamed the IA, 700 miles at
racing speed without the slightest i'm
pairment of her delicate machinery, or
a break of any kind. The civilized
world rang with praises of the magnif-
icent performance of the ship and her
heroic crew.
The Oregon participated in the at
tack on Santiago and with the Brook
lyn prevented the escape of the Colon
in the memorable sea fight of July 4th.
During the chase of the Colon the
Oregon developed speed of eighteen
knots under forced draft.
When peace was declared with Spain
the Oregon was sent to Manila. Some
days ago the vessel was ordered to
China, and had nearly reached her
destination when the accident oc.