Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-16
THE PURITAN'S MISHAP
COMMANDER STRATToN SAYS HE
WAS IN PROPER POSITION.
It is Declared That the Navigator Was
Steering by the Chart When
he Ran Aground.

Special From Staff Correspondent.
FORT MONROE, June 16.-Despite the
fact that they lay aground on a sand bar at
the mouth of the Potomac for almost two
days, the jackies Of the District of Column
bia Naval Militia on the monitor Puritan
joined the fleet here yesterday morning
and bore conspicuous part in the ex-
ercises. 1t is difficult to obtain exact in
formation regarding the accident at Point
Lookout, by means of which the District
sailors We're prevented from taking part in
the assaults on Forts Washington and
Hunt Admiral Dickins orders regarding
the treatment of shore boats by the vessels
of the fleet are very strict and it is not
possible to board the vessel itself 1t is
safe and sound, however. and neither ship
nor men are any the worse for their ex
perience. This much was learned yester-
day In visit to the fleet. From mem
Der of the crew Of the gunboat Hornet,
which put in here yesterday under a flag
of truce. it was learned that the Puritan
Joined the fleet yesterday morning just be-
fore the vessels came to anchor and
dropped her anchor with the monitors Ar
Kansas Nevada and Florida near Cape
Charles.
Commander Stratton's Statement.
Commander Stratton has not yet made
complete report Of the accident to Admiral
Dickins, but 1t is learned that in his report
he will state that in the run from Baltimore
to the point up the Potomac where the at
tack on Forts Washington and Hunt was
to be made he was in his proper potion
in line when the ship was reported aground.
At that time the navigator was steering by
the chart and was following the boat ahead
of him. Just what boat that was 1t can
not be learned now. 1t appears, however,
that she was vessel of lighter draft than
the Puritan, probably one of the destroy
erS. 1t was found that the Puritan had
run inside the channel buoy, and all efforts
to float the ship were without avail. Com
mander Stratton signaled for assistance,
and, it is understood, one of the ships at
tempted to pull the big monitor off. The
tide was ebbing. and the longer the ship
remained aground the harder she stuck and
the deeper she sank in the mud. The rest
of the fleet maintained It's course up the
Potomac, but sent government tug to the
assistance Of the miiitiamen. When the
tug came the tide was at its lowest ebb,
and work as 1t would the tug could not
float the heavy ship. When the tide was
full flood Wednesday night however, the
hurried down the bay to join the feet
which had been ordered to assemble here
to make general assault on the fortifica-
tons.
District Jackies Praised.
1t Is understood that the officers of the
District Naval Battalion have been subject
ed to great deal Of friendly chatting by
the regulars and Marylanders, who claim
that Commander Stratton ran his ship
aground purposely. to avoid being COM
PEELED to take part in even a constructive
assault on their home city.
From what can be learned here the naval
officers are very much pleased with the
work of the Washington tars
The Puritan is one of the most unwieldy
boats of the navy. 1t is said. and except for
the accident at Point Lookout the District
jackies have handled her remarkably well.
A. F. F.