The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-23
BATTLESH|P SAVED BY
ITS COOL COMMANDER
Illinois and Crew Would Have
Gone Down but for Judgment
OF Captain Bradford.
PRAISE FOR OFFICERS

WASHINGTON, March 22.-Capt. Royal
Bird Bradford. commanding the battleship
Illinois, is warmly commended in the find
ings of the court of inquiry which investi-
gated the collision of the Missouri and
illinois off Guantanamo for his splendid
seamanship, which, the report says, saved
the Illinois from what would almost in
evitably have proved her total destruction
had ii not been for the excellent judgment
Shown by her captain at several critical
moments. The findings of the court are to
the effect that the responsibility for the ac-
cident cannot be placed, as il was due en-
trely to the failure of the steam steering
gear of the Missouri TO work at critical
moment. Consequently, further proceed
ings are not recommended.
That the Illinois narrowly escaped being
sunk with all on board, and that she was
saved only by the quick and accurate judg-
ment of her commanding ofhcer, assisted
by the commander of the Missouri, Capt.
w. s. Cowles. who did everything in his
power to prevent the collision, was not
known at the department until the official
findings of the court were received: The
report shows that while the Illinois ard
Missouri were cruising abreast at distance
of 500 yards apart the Missouri suddenly
gave a lurch in the direction of the Illinois
Captain Bradford thereupon swung his ship
around in the same direction, and the Mis-
souri, crossed in the rear of the Illinois and
fell behind. .
1t was supposed that the steering gear of
the Missouri was again in working order,
and she started ahead at full speed to re
gain her place in the line alongside the Illi-
nois, but when 400 yards off her steering
gear again failed, and once more the Mis-
souri, at high speed, started for the Illinois,
which was cruising at ten knots.
So rapidly was the Missouri coming
toward him that Captain Bradford gave an
order to reverse the engines, intending to
back the Illinois and give the Missouri a
free way across her bow, but at the same
moment Captain CowleS, grasping the dan
ger of the situation, ordered the Missouri s
engines reversed, and within minute both
ships were backing and soon would have
collided.
Z Captain Bradford waited until the Mis-
souri, had passed the meridian line of the
Illinois, which he figured would be the turn
ing point, and quickly started his ship for
ward again in the effort TO swing the Illi-
nois around before the Missouri should
strike her. 1t was impossible for the Illi-
nOis to get out of the Missouri's way in
Bradford's ship from a blow amidships
which it is believed would have proved her
destruction.
Rear Admiral Capps, chief constructor of
the navy, has returned to the Navy De-
partment from New York, where he in
spected the illinois, He reports that the
strut of the Illinois is broken and her pro-
pellor shaft bent. The shaft will be re-
moved and an effort made to Straighten il.
II this is unsuccessful ii will be necessary
TO make a new shaft and ii is probable
that this will require at least six months.
Ii will prove serious embarrassment to
the navy for the Illinois to be laid up for
a half year, and every effort will be made
to repair the injured shaft.