Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-03-21
BREAKING UP.
No Chance Of Saving the
Inflated Spartan.
The Captain Still Hopes and
Refuses to Leave.
Many Fishing Craft Driven Ashore
During Storm.

Block Island. r. l.. March 2O.-The
steamer Spartan, of the Boston and
Philadelphia Steamship Co., which ran
aground on the east side of the island,
Sunday morning, while on her way
down the coast from Providence to
Philadelphia. was subjected to such Il
gathering during the night from a
heavy northeast gale and sea that at
dawn. Monday, the chances of saving
her seemed almost hopeless Capt.
Briggs. and four of his crew still re-
mained on board, but at the peril of
their lives.
When the Spartan plowed her way
up on the beach about Il half mile
north of Southeast light at O'Clock.
Sunday morning. it looked as if she
might ultimately be flOated provided
the weather held favorable and wreck
ers arrived speedily.
Those on board were greatly encour-
aged when the New London wrecking
fleet arrived on the scene lust before
sunset sunday night. and word was
received that Il larger fleet was on the
way from Boston. The day had been
calm. although the weather was very
thinck. The Spartan, however. had
gone ashore on the top of a high course
of tides and rested on great bOulders.
several of which had pierced her bot
| tom and stove in Il large hole in her
| forward compartment, and she lay in
very exposed position.
Night brought on change. Seine
storm far out to sea sent in a long
ground swell which shortly after dark
bt gan to pound against the port side of
| the Spartan. Steam had been kept up
| all day but an hour after the swell be-
gan the bulkheads commenced to give
| way aEd just before the sea reached the
| fires, four lOrg whistles FOR assistance
| were sounded. The N,W Shoreham life
| savers who had been in the vicinity
part of the day. but who had gone back
| to their station, once more pulled Out
| ;rOund the breakWatcr and rowrd
alongside the vessel. CAPT. Briggs ask
I'd that half his crew Of - men be
| taken ashore. and IL Including the two
| uGartcrfnastrrS We're taken off by the
life savers. capt. Briggs. the mates and
engineers and several Of the deck hands
| remaining.
| Scarcely had th. lie savers left the
vessel when the wind hauled into the
| nor. beast and began 10 pick up i'll
| force. by midnight j. had increased to
| a 20 knot br t re and three hours later
| it was blowing more than % miles an
hour by dawn Monday m' rning reg
| ular northeast storm prevailed and
| great surgcS were thur deiing against
| TIE windward side of tn" helpless YES
sci. nourly reducing her chances for
| future service.
| Those on board resOlutely held to
| their posts of danger. hoping that the
storm might subside before their yes
sci hogan 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 would be of
| little service on board, Capt. Briggs at
| : O'Clock Monday morning sent six
more of them ashore in one of the
| Spartan's boats. landing being with
| great difficulty. Capt. 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 o'clock he
| was still firm in his determination not
| to leave her.
At that time the chances of floating
| her seemed hopeless, and even wreck
| ing master Scott of New London adj
mitted that there seemed but little
| chance of saving the steamer.
| The Spartan stood the days pounding
By the northeastcr in fairly good shape.
| Captain Briggs. with his four assiS-
| tancs s. decided TO remain on the veS-
sci for the night but the life savers
l % .l,.,t
they would be easily hauled ashore in
case the vessel showed signs OF break
ing up.
The weather. tonight. was still bois-
| ferrous and there seemed little chance
of the wreckers commencing their task
| in the morning.