Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-08-01
Steamer City Of Rock
land Pulled Off Rocks
And lowed to RockIand, Amid
SaIutes Of Big Crowd.
Steamer Left Uncomfortable Berth
Very Willingly, in Face of a Gale
Repairs Will Probably Take Until
Next Spring.

Rockland, Me-, July 3l.-In the teeth
of Il southwest gale, which would I'M
doubleday have caused her destruction
before night. the steamer City of Rock
land was successfully tloated from
Grindstone ledge at 9.35 A. NJ, today,
and brought to Rockland. Every de-
tail was carried out with skill and pre-
cision and the splendid work Of the
wrecking crew was climaxed when the
steamer was brought to her berth at
I1lson's wharf, as handsomely as
though under her own steam. With the
exception of heavy list to starboard
the boat shows but little exterior evil
dence of her experience in the chan
mel.
Later in the afternoon the steamer
was beached near the Five Kline. The
Boston Tow Boat Co., which had
charge of the salvage. resumed work
at Grindstone ledge at s O'Clock. this
morning. The working outfit COM
prises the tugs Storm King, Confidence
and Mercury of Boston, and the
Summersmith of Rockland, the lighters
Sapho and Salvor of Boston and CT
men. Capt. Joseph Lewis acted as
wrecking master and Capt. Thomas L.
Evans of the Confidence, had charge
from the moment the steamer was
fioated. The insurance companies
were represented by T. S. Murphy Of
Boston, while the Eastern Steamship
Co. officials present were James r.
Morse, treasurer, and Chief Engineer
Hathorn. Mr.. Make, the builder, also
aided.
1t was low tide at s o'clock and IS
minutes later the salvage crew added
the fifth pump, by means of which H.
600 gallons Of water was taken from the
three bulkheads, each minute. Two
pumps were stationed in the bow, two
aft and ore amidships The bow
righted gradually and a sounding taken
by Capt. Evans at flood tide showed
that the principal point of contact had
been on the starboard quarter forward
of the rudder.
The forward pumps were discOnnect-
ed soon after 3 o'clock and although
it was not to be high tide for several
hours haWser was made fast from
the bow to the tugs Storm King and
Smith. These tugs were stationed at
an angle of A. degrees from the steam
er. At 9.35 the steamer Jared heavily
and with no other help than that of a
wind and tide. and the taut line con-
Meeting her with the tugs. floated free.
The starboard bow chalk gave way
under the strain. but the cable was
quickly secured by putting strans
around the stern. With three pumps
still at work the homeward trip was
begun. The chief difficulty of the pas
sage was in getting the steamer and
her escort between the buoys marking
Sheep Island bar and Sleepers Point
a passage even narrower than that
where the City of ROckland originally
went ashore. By great care this was
accomplished in safety and with bells
changing and every whistle sounding
the fleet continued its journey, receiv-
ing an ovation from the people on
shore and the thousands who had as
sembled along the water front in this
city.
Repairs occupying several days will
be made here and the steamer will then
be taken to MacKies yard in East Bos-
ton, where, according to the builder.
at least two months will be occupied
in the permanent repairs. Treasurer
Morse expressed the opinion that the
boat will not be ready for further use
until next spring. The extent Of the
machinery damage is still problem.
The gear Is probably damaged, but it's
general condition is not believed to be
bad. 1t is roughly estimated that the
expenses will be about $4,000.