New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-30
PLUNGER IN GREAT PERIL.
GOES ASHORE IN SOUND.
Tsco Other Men OCerCOme 4fter
Trying Experience.
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBuNE-l

TELEGRAPH TO THE TElBi MI
New-I.ondon Conr. Nov. 29--After series or
dangerous experiences the United States torpedo
boat Tingey. in command OF Lieutenant c. r
Nelson, L. s N, with the United Ststes sub
marine boat Plunger in tow. arrived safely at
this port ar noon to-day. GunneT's Mate G. H.
Billings, of New-YOrk. and Electrician j. j.
Welch, of Albany, are i'll a precarious condlti0h
as the result of their exposure for six hours on
the Plunger with the sea washing over thehN
Under orders TO proceed 10 the torpedo station
at Newport the Tingey left New-Suffolk, Long
Island, where the submarine had been uhoeI-
going alterations at the Holland company's
works, at 80 p. m. Monday. Billings was
assigned to steer the submarine and Welch to
run her electric engine so as to make the best
possible time out of Peconic Bay before dark
At 40 O'Clock in Gardeners Bay the tow
line parted. Before another could be made fast
tbe first one became entangled with the
Plunger's propeller. 1t stopped the engine; TWO
small lines were finally made fast ana the
Tingey towed her charge slowly to the east
ward Ir the race the lines again parted.
heavy cross sea was running. but boat was
lowered and another line was run TO the SUD-
marine OFF Watch Hill. the torpedo boat was
anchored for the night under the lee. for the
wind was northwest. At 6 o'clock in the morn
ing the wind jumped out from the southwest
with seventy-fve fathoms of cable out dragged
her anchor and was in danger OF soiDg ashore
In backing her of the PIurgers line parted
again and the submarine drjfted ashore iE the
surf Quick work necessary. for the Gaa
was making fast The boat that took the Wire
haweer 10 the PIungcC also put Billings and
WeIch on board of her. The Plunger was pulled
off stern first. the sea breaking over the men,
who had to straddle the narrow hull To keep
the hawser in position. 1t bitterly cold.
but they had no protection
The Plunger would not tow stern first. the
hawser had to he transferred to the bow in the
narrow channel of Fishers Island Sound The
work was quickly accomplished by Billings and
Welch. who by this time were nearly frozen
The Tingey was then rolling heavily in the
trough Of the sea. Just before shaping her
course for New-London Harbor. the government
tug Castle, Captain Albert Earl, which was
passing. was hailed by Lieutenant Nelson who
asked him to stand by. He did So and finally
assisted the Tingey at the expense of getting
the Plunger's hawser in the Castles propeller
Bravely sticking to their posts to the last
Billings and Welch collapsed as soon the
Plunger touched the pier in New-London. They
were carried shore by their comrades and
placed in the Tingey's cabin. WeCh was
conscious for some time. and Billings little
better Their bodies were purple with the cold
DIR. Cronin of this CITY. after attending them.
said that while their condition was serious they
would probably recover if pneumonia did not
set In The Tingey will proceed with the
Piunger TO Newport tomorrow. after her divers
have cleared the proDeIers of the ropes.