Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-08-03
TnE RocKLAND FLoATrp
on the Rocks In the Mussei Ridge and
lowed to Rockiand.

loWtu 10 tsoshlaDu.
The steamer City OF Rockland Is again
afioat, and will be on the Boston and Ban
gor route as soon as repairs can be made.
She may not be seen here again this year,
hut next spring, anyway, the queen OF the
fleet will be again in service, as good as
new.
La the teeth OF a southwest gale, which
would undoubtedly have caused her de-
struction before night, the steamer City
OF Rookland was fosied from Northwest
ledge at 0 80 a. m, Sunday, and brought
TO Rockland.
Every detail was carried out with skill
and precision. and The splendid work OF
the wrecking crew was eIlmsxed when the
steamer was brought to her berth at TIL
sons wharf SIS handsomely as though I'M
der her own steam.
With the exception Of heavy list to
starboard, the boat shows but little ex-
terror evidence OF her experience tn the
the steamer was beached near the Five
Kilus.
The Boston Towb boat Co., which had
charge OF the salvage, resumed work Sun
day morning at 6 O'Clock. The wrecking
outfit comprised the tugs Storm King,
Confidence and Mereur5, OF Boston, and
the 5omers n. Snita, OF Rnckland, the
fighters Sappho and Ssiyor, OF Boston, and
sixty-one men. Csps. Joseph Lewis acted
as wrecking master and Capt. Thomas e.
Evans, OF the Confidence, mad charge from
the moment the slesmar was fioated.
The insurance companies we're repre-
sented by T. $. Murphy, OF Boston, while
the Eastern Steamship Co officials pres
ent were Treasurer James T.. Morse and
Chief Engineer Hsthorn. William Mckay,
the builder, also aided
1t was low tide at O'Clock, and fifteen
minutes later the saIvsgeerew added the
fifth pump, by means OF which IA 600
gallons OF water were taken from the shree
bulk heads each minute. Two pumps
| one amidships.
| The bow GIFTED gradually and a sound
ing taken by Capt. Evsns at food Tide
showed that the principal point OF con-
tact had been on the starbosrd quarter
twenty feet forward OF the rudder.
The forward pumps were disconnected
soon after 5 O'Clock, aud although 1t vas
not to DO high tide for several hours, a
hawser was made fast from the bow TO the
| tugs Storm King and Somers n. Smith.
These tugs were stationed at an single of
forty live degrees from the steamer.
At Q IS the steamer Jared heavily, and
| with no other help than hat Of the wind
and the tide and the taut line connecting
her with the tugs, hoated free, and with
three pumps still at work, the homeward
trip was begun.
The chief ifiicully of the passage was
| In getting the steamer and her escort be-
tween the buoys marking Sheep Island
bar and Sleeper's Point, channel even
narrower than that where the City Of
Rockland originally went ashore.
By great care this was accomplished in
safety, and With bells changing aud every
| whistle sounding, theAiie continued its
| journey, receiving an ovation from the
people who lined he shore and the thous-
ands who had assembled along the water
front In Rocklsnd.
Repairs occupying several days will be
made at Rockisnd, snd the steamer viii
then be taken to McKay's yard, In East
Boston, where, according to the builder,
at least two months will he occupied in
the permanent repairs.
Treasurer Morse expressed the opinion
that the boat will not be ready for furth
service until next spring. The extent of
the machinery damage Is still problem.
The gear Is probably out OF alignment,
but its general condition is not believed
to be bad.
II Is roughly estimated that the wreck
ing expenses will be about $50 600.