Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-03
THE KEARNEY RESCUED
PERIL OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT
LIGHTER.
Had Broken Her Shaft, Which Had
Pounded a Hole in Her-Was
Returning From Cuba.

The little propeller steamer Kearney,
one of the lighters which has been used by
the United States army Quartermaster's de-
partment In Cuba, was brought into Hamp-
ton Roads last night in tow of the United
States collier Leonidas, having been picked
up at by the collier, in a disabled and
sinking condition, with her propeller and
shaft gone and the water pouring in at the
sleeve through which the shaft ran. When
first signaled by the Leonidas yesterday the
kearney was rolling and pitching in a
heavy sea and it was only with great dam
ger that a tow line was gotten to her, and
with the disabled vessel in tow the collier
started for the Virginia capes, which were
reached in safety. No detailed account of
the accident to the ekarney has been re-
ceived at the quartermaster generals office
in the War Department, but the quarter
master at Fort Monroe has been instructed
to make an examination Of the vessel and
have what repairs are necessary made.
Bound for Washington.
The Kearney is bound to this port, hav
ing on board the personal effects of several
Of the army officers returning from Cuba.
She sailed from Cuba about six weeks ago,
and her arrival here has been expected for
the past three weeks. She has no passen-
gers aboard, being used for freight bust
ness only, and carries a crew of about
twelve men. The kearney has had rather
an eventful voyage.
Soon after leaving Cuba she put into
Key West in a disabled condition. and then
repairs were made. Again she started for
this city, but had to put into Savannah and
Charleston for repair work. The culmina-
ton of her distress was reached when she
lost her wheel and shaft at sea, and was
left helpless in a heavy gale, and the timely
arrival of the Leonidas alone saved her
from going to the bottom. The kearney is
one of the smaller of the propeller lighters
of the quartermasters department. being
but a little over 100 feet long and making
a speed of about six or seven miles an
hour.
Will Be Stationed Here.
She was purchased during the Spanish
war by the army officers for the freight
transport service, and has been so employed
up to this time. When the repairs to her
are completed and she arrives here and is
unloaded she is to be turned over to the
engineer corps of the army, and has been
assigned to duty with the engineers bat
talon at the Washington barracks. She
will be used to transport supplies between
this city and points on the river where the
engineers may be at work. Capt. s. B.
Davis formerly on the Norfolk line, has
been assigned to her as commander.
Navy Department Informed.
The Navy Department today received a
telegram from Capt. Eric Lynd, command
ing the United States collier Leonidas, just
arrived at Hampton Roads, stating that he
had found the United States army trans
port Kearney in distress off the Hatteras
coast. and had towed her into Hampton
Roads. There is no allowance of salvage
In cases where government vessels assist
each other, and Capt. Lynd will therefore
not profit by his action, Notwithstanding
the fact that he is not naval officer.