The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-06-05

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I headed TO the southeast on the starboard
J tack
The yacht this time was about two
miles due south OF Brenton's Reef Light
ship, going along at tremendous pace
under three lower sails. well heeled over
I'm the breeze. The wind was probably the
stiffest that the Constitution had ever
encountered but she stood IL I'm good
shape and made great time for a matter
of a mile
SPREADER BROKE.
Suddenly. Just before O'Clock, with
out the slightest warning, the starboard
lower spreader, over the end OF which
runs two of the masthead shrouds, made
OF inch steel wire rope. collapsed or broke
off on the mast.
This brought the strain on the three
remaining steel shrouds, which prompt
ly gave, way, and almost at the same in
slant the big steel mast began 10 fall over
the port IL went over so gradually that
those on the deck saw II coming in time
10 get TO windward with the exception OF
Second Mate Nelson. who was caught in
some rigging and went overheard under
the big mainsail. Fortunately some of
the crew saw his predcament and, by
quick work he was hauled aboard.
ToPMAsT BROKE ALSO.
The mast collapsed or bent about three
fifths OF the way above the deck. or a
few feet below the lower spreaders which
broke. AS II went over the topmast
shrouds broke that wooden spar i'm two
pieces.
One stort of It's foot, where Il enters
the top OF the mast, and again we'll up the
pole toward the top. Part OF the topmast
was saved. but some 10 feet OF IT went
drifting out TO sea. AS the mast came
down, shorn of it's topmast, IL was seen
that II would not strike the deck, and as
the boom sagged on the port rail quite
gently, that the hull was not injured I'm
the slightest degree
Both headsails. OF course. were swept
into the water but the bowsprit remain
ed intact. Both the upper spreaders were
broken short OFF when the mast went
down, but the topmast shrouds which
lead over them. held well and I'm doing
so, smashed the big wooden pole which
they were Intended 10 hold In place Some
or the shrouds. when the upper part of the
mast was fairly down were carried over
the stump. and remained there. when the
yacht was taken into the harbor.
ALL ON BOARD COOL.
Everyone on board took the accident
very coolly, Mr.. Duncan lighting his pipe
within a minute or two OTTER the mast
had collapsed, after assuring himself that
no one had been injured
The crew at once set TO work unlac-
ing the mainsail and getting II aboard
1t was heavy job in the stiff breeze
and the sea. The men worked hard, how
ever, and within an hour the great mass
of canvas was safely on the deck. IL was
found then that the gaff which is a hol-
low wooden spar, had also remained intact
and there was apparently no injury TO the
long. hollow steel boom.
After the Two head sails had been gath
cred aboard and az much OF the wire rig
ging as could be lashed 20 the boom and
the remains OF the mast, the yacht I'm
tow of the Herreshoff steam yacht Eai-
genia, was taken back into the harbor
Everybody on deck acted with great
coolness after accident and seemed
TO accept the unfortunate affair in the
best way possible.
WIRE RIGGING UNINJURED.
Except for the two masthead shrouds
which go over the spreader practically
all the wire rigging on the boat was unin-
jured and can probably be used again.
as it has already been tested 10 a high
degree
The yacht presented a sorry appearance
as she lay off the torpedo station with
the great steel spar bent down until the
top almost reached the deck. The boom
i III.
while the gaff was lashed to the remains
of the port chain plates. Her canvas is
also aboard well soaked IN salt water.
The crew went ashore apparently I'm
happy frame Of mind over their escape
from a more serious accident. One or two
of them did not hestitae TO say that they
had never felt quite safe while the yacht
was under n press OF sail. but each trial
had given them more confidence in the
strength of the spars and rigging
They all knew. however, that every
pound OF unnecessary weight had been
eliminated, and that the margin OF safety
was narrow one. 4 number felt, howev-
er that the additional backstays put I'm
last week. had strengthened the mast
considerably. and that a few more trials
would show the yacht 10 he i'm fine shape.
At the time OF the accident Mr. Dun
can had the wheel, as Capt Rhodes had
just gone forward to look at the head
sails.
II was said that the skipper went for
ward to get a better look az the lower
spreader, which even then had begun To
give some signs OF weakening.
Capt. Rhodes was quite near the mast
when ~ gave way, but escaped with one
or two slight scratches on the face. IL
was also learned that one OF the seamen
was stunned by n bluw from block,
but recovered almost Immediately
TO BE REFITTED.
Mr.. Duncan remained on the Mount |
Morris for dinner. and before dark took
long but somewhat distant view OF his
yacht. anchored about 90 yards astern.
He said that she would be taken To Brls- |
tol the nrst thing In the morning 20 be
Immediately rchtted Fortunately. the |
Herrshor company is already engaged on
another spar for the boat for Just such
an emergency and IL Is understood that |
this mast Is 80 nearly completed that n |
will be ready for stepping within n week
or ten days.
As both the boom and tho gam were un-
.,r Continued on Page Fiye)