Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-02-15
SIX SEAMEN RESCUED
crew of Burned Schooner Picked
Up by Passing Vessel.
CAPTAIN SET FIRE TO SHIP

Knowing She Would Sink, Captain
Medley Fired Vessel Before Enter
Ing Rescuers' 6oat-Men Suffered
Terribly From Cold.
New York. Feb. 12.-The schooner
which was burned to the waters edge
OF point north of Cape May on Mon
. day night was the Mary Graham.
from Norfolk to New York. and the
crew is safe, having reached here late
yesterday afternoon. They were picked
up by the schooner ]. c. Clifford. Cap
tain F. II. Medley and five seamen
composed the crew OF the Graham. She
was two-masted schooner, and left
Norfolk, Va, three weeks ago with
$4,000 feet OF pine lumber, consigned
10 a New York firm.
From Captain Medley the following
facts were gathered: About, haIf-past
O'Clock last Saturday morning the
schooner was caught in the ice which
was coming out Of the Delaware river.
and the captain, fearful that he would
be crushed or the schooner blown
ashore, dropped both anchors, being
at that time eight and a half miles
northwest of Cape May, In nine faith
oms Of water. The schooner was leak
ing. and the crew was kept at the
pumps. They suffered terribly from
the cold, and the hands OF Mate
Charles Anderson and sailor Gus Bun
son were frost bitten. Plenty OF hot
coffee reduced the mems suffering con-
siderably.
Heavy seas were breaking over the
vessel, and the bowsprit was carried
away. Soon afterward both masts
went by the board. In falling over the
side of the schooner the masts car
ried away the only boat. This left the
crew helpless. and their only hope of
safety lay in being picked up by a.
passing ship. The schooner was one
mass OF ice from bow to stern by this
time, and to add to the peril the cap
tain found she was in danger of sink
ing. being an old vessel. To tighten
her the captain had about 10000 feet
OF lumber thrown overheard.
Despite all efforts the schooner was
settling rapidly when the ]. c. Cliff
ford. also a lumber-laden schooner.
hove in sight. The Clifford Law TO
about 100 yards from the Graham and
sent boat with mate and three sail
ors to rescue the crew. On account of
the Ice the small boat had great diff
Guilty in forcing its way through the
water, and the mate had about given
up hope OF reaching the sinking
schooner. when sudden change in the
wind made passageway through the
'ce. through which the hardy crew
rowed to the Graham.
Seeing that there was no chance of
saving the vessel. Captain Medley set
nre to 1t before entering the Clifford's
boat In explaining this action, he said
that the vessel was over 80 years old
and her hull was in such a bad condi-
ton that he knew she would soon sink.
JERSEY OFFICIAL RESIGNS
Comptroller Hancock, Opposed 20
State Treasurer, Steps Out.
Trenton, N. j., Feb. 11-State Comp
troller Hancock last night placed his
resignation in the hands of Governor
Murphy. The resignation was purely
formal one, but It's presentation
was the result of the election of ex
Mayor Briggs. Of Trenton. to the ONCE
or state treasurer. Mr.. Hancock is
also a resident Of Trenton. ard OBJ
opsed Mr.. Briggs election. At the
time he stated to the governor that
II Mr.. Briggs was elected he CHan-
cock) would resign as state comp
troller. Mr.. Hancock stated that there
Is no personal feeling or controversy
between himself and State Treasurer
Briggs. as he knows Mr.. Briggs Is a
gentleman Of the highest standing and
With qualities that A. him to III the
ONCE of state treasurer.
nnnohar ~ DnuuSH..-