The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-15
storm than a pair OF spoon oars.

storm than a pair Of spoon oars.
Had the sea not been driven in until II
was at least eight feet higher than nor
NAL, she could not have passed the OBJ
struction she struck when drifting out.
Had she not been so deep in the water
| from her forward compartments filing.
she would surely have capsized, wailow-
ing the trough OF that terrible sea, for
her propeller had been disabled and The
engines could not be moved.
Had the crew been five minutes. or even
two minutes, later in closing the matches
on the gun deck. the ship would have
sunk at once.
trated she would have gone down in deep
water just outside the harbor az time
when the storm was at its height.
At first an attempt was made 10 batten
down and secure the matches on the BERN
deck. but the water came in too rapidly
and the crew had TO abandon IL and go
up tn the gun deck. This they succeeded
I'm closing just as the compartment be-
low filled. and the water started 10 rush
in through the matches TO the deck above,
which the brave men were closing.
During this time the helpless ship had
been blown out TO sea through the mar
row entrance without the knowledge OF
n soul on board, for IL was impossible to
either see or tell II she was moving.
ceaseless night or day, with no sleep and
almost no food, work that seemed useless.
for IL did not seem possible to keep the
ship afloat. but the work was continued
after a state OF exhaustion was reached
that made IL n matter of small choice for
the men between few hours more OF
exertion and an immediate death
The few boats that were left seaworthy
could not at this time have lived in the
high, choppy sea that was running. Water
was baled out 10 make room for more
that always came I'm "a little faster than
the line of bucket men could get IL over
board.
The only relief from the work in the
bucket line was work almost as hard,
helping the carpenters gang carry tim
bers from the afterhold TO build frame
work to support the thwartship bulk
head, on whose resistance depended the
lives OF all on board. for IT IL carried away
the after compartments would be Hooded
and the ship would sink.
While the crew worked on the supports
70 the bulkhead the floating material In
the compartment forward acted as bat
tering rem, pounding the bulkhead with
a force that made the ship tremble at
every blow.
As the ship pitched and rolled. every
blow bulged the buikhead more and more,
and II was bravery OF the highest order
that kept these men below, every one OF
whom knew that II IL gave way not one
could possibly have reached tho deck
above.
To add 20 the apparent hopelessness OF
the situation the bilge pumps refused 20
work, and Il was necessary TO take the
men who were so sorely needed else
where TO repair them. which was finally
accomplished. 20 the everlasting credit OF
| the engineers department.
The wind and sea having moderated q
little about midnight, attempts were
! made 10 get collision mats over the side
for the purpose OF checking the inflow oi
water and by o'clock one was put over
Shortly afterward. and thereby makinr
tho collision mat valueless. "A number OF
the air ports on the berth deck were
| driven out and the water poured I'm and
out as the ship rolled.
SHIP WAS SLOWLY SINKING.
AT noon the vessel sprung a leak aft
| This was controlled ss well as possible ny
| the hilge pumps and bucket line. but tho
water kept gaining. though slowly. IN
the afternoon second jury ruddor wat
put over the stern, but the sea was toe
heavy. and it was useless.
ON the morning OF Nov. 10. shortly af-
I tor daylight. Rota island was sighted on
| the port bow and Guam on the starboard
how. still further attempts were made u
| head the ship TO the southwark. toward
Agana. by means Of drags. but with tho
bow 80 deep in the water Il was impossi-
bile.
The engines were stopped az noon. Tor
they were only driving the ship farther
away from the only source OF assistance
| At o'clock the black smoke Of what
proved 20 he tho collier Justin. sent Out
90 lock fer tho Yosemite, BaS sscp to ths