Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-03-20
STEAMER
 AGROUND.
Battered by a North
 east Gale.
Captain and Crew Remained on Board at Peril of Their Lives..The Spartan Pierc- ed by Large Boulders.

Block Island, R. l., March 20.-The steamer Spartan, of the Boston and Philadelphia Steamship Co.'S line, which ran aground on the east side of the island yesterday morning while on her way, down the coast from Provl dence to Philadelphia, was subjected to such fearful battering during the night from heavy northeast gale and sea, that at dawn to-day the chances of saving her seemed almost helpless. Captain Briggs and four of his crew still remained on board, but at the peril of their lives.
 When the Spartan plowed her way far upon the beach, about half mile north of the Southeast light at I o'clock yesterday morning, it looked as if she might ultimately be fioated, provided the weather held favorable and wreckers arrived speedily.
 1 Those on board were greatly en- outraged when the New London wreck | ing fleet arrived on the scene just be- fore sunset last night and word was received that a larger fleet was on the way from Boston. The day had been calm, although the weather was very thick so that there was every indica- ton that the work of lightering the cargo would begin in the morning |. l The Spartan. however, had gone ashore on the top of a high course of tides and rested on great boulders. several of whom had pierced her bot tom and stove in a large hole in her forward compartment and she lay in a particularly exposed position.
 Night brought on change. X storm far out to sea sent in q long ground swell which shortly after dark began to pound against the port side of the Spartan. Steam had been kept up all day. but an hour after the swell began the bulkheads commenced to give way. and just before the sea reached the fires four long whistles for assistance were sounded, the last being scarcely more than gasp.
 | The New ShOreham life savers. who had been in the vicinity part of tha day. but who had gone back to their station, once more pulled out around the hreakwater and rOwed alongside the vessel. Captain Briggs asked that half his crew of twenty-twO men he taken ashore, and eleven, including the two Quartermasters. were taken of by the life savers, Captain Briggs. the mates and engineers and several of the deckhands remaining.
 Scarcely had the life savers left ths vessel when the wind hauled into the northeast and began to pick up in force. By midnight 1t had increased to a twenty knot breeze. and three hours later it was. blowing more than twenty-five miles an hour
 | By dawn to-day a severe northeast storm prevailed and great surges were laundering against the windward side of the helpless vessel. shaking her from keel to truck and hourly reduc- | ing her chances for future service. Those on board resolutely held to their posts of danger. hoping that ths storm might subside before their yes. sel began to give way. During the night the sea made great havoc In her hull. smashing in all the remaining bulkheads and breaking up the cargo. Realizing that his crew could be of little service on board Captain Briggs at : o'clock this morning sent six more of them ashore in one of the Spartan's boats. a landing being made with great difficulty. Captain Briggs with his mates and two seamen remained on the steamer. and although an effort was made by many on shore to induce him to abandon his ship. at S o'clock he was still firm In his determination not | to leave her.
 At that hour the chances of floating her seemed hopeless snd even Wreck. ing Master Scott of New London ad- mitted that there appeared but little | abanI.. .f n,.innr ihn Sfna mar