The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-04
HOW TIE OREGON STRUCK.
Captain wiIde's Report ON tho
Grounding of the Bstticsbir.


The Navy Department has received by
mail the official report Of Captain Wild,
of the Oregon. on the grounding OF the
vessel in the Gulf of Pe-chi-li last June
and of the incidents attending her success
full salvage. The report shows that the
accident TO the ship was due in no way TO
any of the officers OF the Oregon. The
report in full is as follows:
u. $. Oregon. First Rate.
Gulf of Pe-chi-H July {.
II have the honor to report that tho
U. s. S. Oregon, under my command
grounded upon an uncharted ledge in
Pe-chi-li Gulf at s:05 p. m. June %. 1900.
The ledge has three and a half fathoms
over its highest part. Its position Is To-
Gated by sextant angles upon an accom-
panying chart. The chart shows at this
place seventeen to eighteen fathoms. Pre-
ceding the grounding of the ship have
to state that | received urgent orders from
HongkGng from the commander In chief
to proceed to Taku as soon as ready This
order was dated June % and was received
the same afternoon. On June 20 a cable
was received from the commander
chief. The Zafiro arrived at 4:f0 u. m.
June %. and the moment men and stores
were taken from her the Oregon went to
80 leaving iioHShOus at o.5U D.. m.
weather fine and clear until the asfh.
when fog set in very thick Slowed to half
speed. At intervals fog lifted and ship
sent ahead full speed. s. E. Promontory
light was sighted at S:14 o'clock on night
Of June 81; n. Z. Promontory light was not
sighted. as fog had again shut down.
Neither was fog signal heard. Ship was
being loaded right along with patent
sounding machine on Wei-hai-wei the
fog lifted for few moments. just long
enough for me to see the flashing light.
That was the last absolute fix 1 had I
judged myself to be off Chefoo by seeing
some junks, which are generally seen or
that port. A steamer also crossed our
bow, evidently bound to Ciefoo from Port
Arthur. The fog settled down denser and
denser.
Sounded with patent lead every half
hour When my distance to Howki
iight had been run down to within ten
miles l slowed to five knots. and had
leadsmen in both chains; also extra look
outs, listening for any. whistle echo fr Jm
any island. or to catch sound of gun
from Howkf light station. There were
fully nifty men stretched along forward
on both sides on lookout. Owing TO
density Of fog l remained on the br d q
night and day since the 2sth; all ha-Cs,
in fact. were constantly on the al IT.
ed, and as there were very light ars
there was no reason why the ligh keerers
should not have heard it. | continued
on. sounding constantly. until 1 As D. m
on the 2Sth. when / began deepening
water. from twelve to thirteen fathoms.
which l had been getting right along.
20 seventeen fathoms. This indicated
something wrong. and. getting no re-
Spouse to blasts of whistle. | anchored
n flf
very dense Two whaleboats sounded
around ship. but found no distractions.
About forty-fiye minutes after anchorinx
the fog suddenly lifted, and Howki
lighthouse was plainly seen, bearing N.
II W. distant three and one third miles.
The chart showing clear water, 1 got
under way at once headed for Howki
light.
Fog shut down again, very dense. be-
fore / got my anchor; but. knowing my
position. and orders being urgent, and
Suspecting no dangers. l started ahead
with starboard helm, when the vessel
brought up with three distinct thunlps
Not until then did the light keepers fire
guns; they then fred two guns according
to rule. All water-tight doors were in
stantly closed.
Engines were instantly stopped, but
not reversed. as l feared she might sink
IL backed into deep water. The sea was
as smooth as a lake, and / thought I
would wait and see if she made water,
which she did rapidly in compartments A
3, 4. A ). 80, A 80, A 9S, B so, I3-inch
magazine. S-inch magazine. and passing
room AT once got out and provisioned
all boats; also armed and equipped same.
Got over collision mat at once. and at
slack water sent diver down and located
break. Another diver was procured very
from a wrecking expedition
some ten miles distant who located one
long break extending distance Of
twenty-five feet on port side forward The
current running at great velocity, divers
IAN only work for two hours at high and
low water slack.
Sent Lieutenant Leigh, navigator, to
chefoo on passing French gunboat Sur
Prise to charter steamers to take Nammuni-
ion. coal. and stores, as ship would have
% be lightened 20 get rock out of side OF
ship or out Of bottom. Two steamers ar
lived from Chefoo on June 80. which had
been chartered by Commander Rodgers U.
J. S. Nashville. Got two 10-inch ceh.ri-
ugsl pumps from wreckers. Without them
water could not be controlled as ships
steam pumps could not Co so because of
he breaking of main drain pipe by rock
coming through side. On July 1, at 1851 a.
n. ship fOated. and swung to anchor,
which had been laid out astern with 10
nch hawser Hawser parted. and in order
o avoid sinking. chartered steamer could
Tot avoid going aground a second time.
ship rests between two large powders for
ward. Diver can see under keel. She
hows no signs of strain as far as butts or
streaks' starting. l shall continue to
tighten by taking out more coal and am
nunitioh. Am confident can get ship OF.
lure dry Dock Ia!and Sea, is the nearest.
nd Japanese Naval Department has of
cred its use. Very respectfully.
&c. F. F. WILDE
Captain, L. 5. Navy. Commanding