The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-12-12
LIGHTSHIP SINKS;
GREW RESCUED.

Continued from page one.
At o'clock Sunday morning leak was
/ discovered just above the fire room
| plates in the midshlp compartment OF the
vessel For several hours the vessel was
kept free by aid OF her own steam pumps.
but at s o'clock Sunday morning. II was
| apparent that the water was gaining and
a message was sent to Newport for aid.
WATER ROSE RAPIDLY.
During the next few hours the water
rose rapidly until the fires under the boil
ers had been quenched and pumping By
mechanical means ceased Several mes
sages were sent after the dynamos stop
ped by means OF storage batteries. all
urging that some vessel be sent as soon
as possible.
While it was felt that the water-tight
compartments might keep the vessel
afoat for some time still n was feared
that the bulkheads might give way event
ually so the crew started 10 keep the yes
sci above water by hand bailing. All this
time the little lightship was tumbed
about in one OF the sevcrest storms OF
the season and the rolling and pitching
helped to open still farther her started
seams
CONSTANT BAILING.
Realizing that hand bailing might possi-
ibly keep the vessel anoat until help
which they were fairly sure would come
eventually. the thirteen men started tho
tedious work OF hosting the water from
the flooded hold by hand buckets. the
hand pumps being OF little use.
II was race against the incoming food
and the crew without stopping for food
or sleep managed 90 make Il an even
thing for twenty-four hours.
AT O'Clock Monday morning the oper-
ator was able To send out one more mess
age that the lightship was I'm dire dis
tress. and urging that help be sent from
any where. The power gave out
before he could sign the mes
sage. Two hours later the Azalca
which has been the tender for the light
ships on the station arrived. and those
on the lightship knew that they had
chance for life. The sea- however was
too boisterous for the AXalea 10 go any
where near the rolling llghtship. and for
six hours sh swung around within call
ready 10 dash mp I'm case tho lightship
which was we'll down in the water should
founder
STORM MODERATES.
At 10 o'clock Monday forenoon the sea.
under the influence OF the Northwestern
which had followed the storm calmed |
down TO a moderate roll and preparations
were at once made TO send q limo on |
board from the Azalea. Capt. Jorgen- |
son ndlled capt GibbS on the tender and |
said that he thought his men could keep /
the vessel a1oat until she reached New 1
Bedford. although the entire middle com
partment was nearly full OF water
The big chain. which had kept the light |
ship on her station throughout the storm /
was slipped overheard. and the line from |
the Azalea made fast. Still the crew
continued TO bail. although fearf,illv ex- |
hausted 10y their hard labors
But the new strain from the tow line |
ON the bow seemed To- open M the breach |
IN the side OF the lightship stlll more and /
The water began 10 gain on the crew. II /
was about noon, when after rs miles had !
been covered. that Capt, Jorgenson hoist
ed distress signals on the lightship and \
the towing stopped.
SINKING SHIP ABANDONED.
The Azalea ran back toward the sink
ing vessel while the crew OF the lightship /
pushed their lifeboat over the side No |
one stopped 10 gather up any of his be-
lonsings. ono by one they slid down
the rope into the boat Capt Jorgenson
being the last 10 leave his ship Ten |
minutes later. No. 5S which had with |
stood some OF the most fearful storms /
that ever swept the Atlantic, gave one
great heave and then plunged beneath the
waves
The crew rowed around on the leeward /
side ~ the Azaea and were dragged 1
aboard almost too exhausted 10 stand
VAIN WATCH FOR HELP.
They were all sent below warmed fed
and then put 10 bed, where they were
sleeping when tho tender reached her
wharf In this city shortly before ? O'Clock /
this morning Although directly on tho
highway ~ commerce between England F.
ard America. 70 Is q singular fact that
all day sunday while the lghtshp crew
we're looking everywhere FOR help not a \
single trans Atlantic liner passed tho /
station.
As only the staunchest light vessel can \
be used on the station and as the regular \
boat. No. 212 ie being repaired n Is feared \
that II will DO some days before another \
boat can be sent out