The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-05
HER POSITION
IS PRECARIOUS
Divers Report Two Big Holes
in Steamer Chapin's Hull.
| MAY Be WORSE THAN GIVEN OUT
II Is UnoHIcIaIly Stated That There Is I
Third and Very Dangerous Pune
turs hmldshIpS
MAY Be WORSE THAN GIVEN OUT

II f. admitted by the company officials
that two bad holes were found in the hull |
. the steamer Chester w. Chapn, which I
stranded off Patience island night before
last.
Both are well forward and in the ma
ture of long rips or cuts in the steel,
opening into both forward compartments.
II Is unoficislly stated that there is a
third hole most dangerous OF all almost
amidships on the starboard side, punctr
ured by a rock that is wedged into the
hun SO tightly that all efforts TO list the
steamer 40 az 10 get at the hole were
unayailing.
wreck shake their heads obviously when
ever II * said that the prospect Tor
floating the steamer right away Is pro-
ptlous. her position Is so precarious.
The worst cut reported by the company
Is about 10 feet long and several inches
wide under the forward gangway on the
port side. The other il nearly opposite,
but not so bad, although very similar.
TWO DIVERS AT WORK.
TWO divers were at work on the
stranded steamer yesterday, one going
over from Newport and the other Cap
tain Young. coming from New London.
The divers set about stopping up these
holes yesterday afternoon In order Ia
make the compartments water-tight
enough TO permit the water TO be pumped
out
II was thought last night that this
might be accomplished today. when an cf-
fort will be made 20 release the Chapin
from her dangerous position.
Opinions differ as 40 the accomplish
nent OF this right away, the prevailing
notion being that IL will be several days
before the steamer can be noated, II AT
all
Even then, according 10 one old sea
captain, "she may come OFF I'm pieces
IN this gentleman's opinion the Chaplin
has a broken back, or will have if she Is
not relieved quickly. The pounding or the
| sea during the next three or four weeks,
| before another food tide may be looked
| for TO give the steamer equilibrium, VIII
be most pernicious, he thinks.
Tho same authority holds that the
| moon Affects the action OF the tide. The
| moon was full night before last and 80
was the tide I'm about four weeks a like
condition may be looked for
THE STEAMERS POSITION.
The position OF the steamer IL such that
but for the fact that she is SO high up
on the shore she would stand "A danger OF
going to pieces. as it is, I'm event OF
heavy seas, although she is admittedly
safer on that side OF the island.
A DETECTION OF the compass Is given as
the most probable reason for the steamer
grounding. The course from the middle
ground buoy south OF Conimicut light Is
about southwest, half south. toward tho
! Warwick shore.
The Chaplin was in that run when she
| stranded. but as she has not shifted since
.l.I l...sNN D.
southwest there is "a noticeable variation
! I'm direction.
Captain Appleby stated that he had not
! changed his course for the run to Plum
beach. az was at first thought, but stood
for Warwick the required length of
time Then not seeing the Warwick light,
he stopped the engines and listened for
the fog horn.
No sound was heard and. the fog being
dense, he drifted along. not daring
TO proceed. After several minutes still
not hearing the fog horn. he ordered the
engines reversed IL was while ATTEMPT
ing To back water that land was made
out dead ahead. The steamer headway
was too great to he overcome and ths
gale and the tide carried her well up OF
the rocks.
A PASSENGERS STATEMENT.
one of the passengere stated YESTERDAY
that the steamer proceeded down the river
and bay very slowly and IN every paeriv e,
| sblest masters sailing from this port. II
I corrOborated. - M
The steam lighter Henry 7. siSson as
| freight aboard the Chaplin, the Bay queer
and the Warwick taking OFF the resi-.
! was all removed, The Sisson remalne'
! AT the scene last night TO begin settiHi
! the water out of the forward compart
/ ments OF the steamer with powerfy
, wrecklng pumps as soon as the olNers
= work should be completed.
II is stated that the steamer Fequo'
OF the New Bedford route v.,tsS Ms
n list to port In order 10 get at the re
ported hole amidships. which Is not muc
below the water line, it Is said
A hawser was attached and the Pequo
strained aud tuRged until ~ was found
: be useless and the attempt was give
2 up.
THE CHAPIN's POSITION.
o The Chaplin lies about quarter OF
!. mile east OF the northwest point OF M w
= ! island where the bottom Is rocky. \ sn9l
: distance ON either side Is sandy. ht
boW has about six feet OF water; ma
n superintendent NiSkerSson' c9oInsorridate 9I ns
. went down on the Warwick yesterday a
!. ternoon. Last night he said maj n31ni. d,,.n,
:. definite would be known until the dlVei
e Captain Nickerson thought, II is state
y that the steamer might he moved az hls
tide this morning without blowing %
her boilers or resorting 90 pontoons' =
said that tugs would probably be on hai
- this morning 10 make liF Hltchh''
N Captain II. l.. Wilcox, Of the Ir'noI
n Captain Appleby and Captain Hazard d
ID nounce the hot air fog whistle az wa
wick light as being unreliable because
b, | blows a continuous blast that Is 80 ahec
~ ! ed by the wind that IL Is ciricult 20
~ ! tect It's locator 80,
Pr | IT, Fact about two weeks age pcut,
"a ! was signed py the steamhoat men w
SO | nsvicpte the Providence river for the q p
lition OF the whistle. They prefer u
"a | bell 49,, - =,
- The steamer Connecticut has been =
into condition at Newport 10 take
a. Chapln's place and will ~ put on the ~
~ Idne today ,..., 4,
The Connecticut has been ihoioush
al | overhauled and her engines rebuilt
W 1he 800 passeugcrs who were on y
X Chspin and We're transported ~ ~
Work on a rpeciai train arrived sate
he and in due time yesterday i'reh"oh'
- go over fiuy Sssrs.
AN MRS. wINsI.Ow'S SOOTHING SfRl
Pt. has been used for over hfty yeara
millions OF mothers for their childr
while teethins. with perfect success