The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-03-20

|
Z. tied In such way that 1t was evident
| q tom.
g.. b. ...,sg ..4~..s.s..
A minute later Capt Briggs was noti-
! ced that the watc- was making fast and
| that the ship was sure to fll. There was no
confusion. Capt Briggs having perfect
! coi,mand OF his crew. As the ship did not
continue to settle. there was no appre-
hension of immediate danger.
When the fog lifted at daybreak Capt
Briggs found that the ship had struck on
the rocks about 200 yards off shore. As
tie Spartan did not break apart and she
could not sink so long az sne hung there.
Capt Briggs decided TO remain aboard and
to keep his crew with him
\ The accident occurred almost under the
| tiufY on which is the powerful southeast
| light, equipped with a fog whistle. which.
according 10 those on shore had been
flowing a half houh before the steamer
strl ck. and was In operation at that mo-
ront.
Cept. Briggs sent boat ashore and
the local agent and the officers OF the
company In Boston were notified Of the
wreck The agent ordered a wrecking
steamer from New London and a feet
OF wreckers was sent from Boston.
SENT FOR HELP.
The New Shorehem life saving crew
at the East harbor went out 10 the
some of the yrrrf-at-daxlight this
morning and offered to take the crew
ashore. but Capt. Briggs declined as
sistsrce at the time. I'm the hope that
quick work in lightering the cargo and
patching the hole might result In float
ing his vessel before the weather
changed.
The life savers then went back 10 their
station. but sent a man along the beach
10 watch the wreck in case the weather
became threatening
The day was one OF alternate fogs and
| clear weather. hut the wind held from
the west n favorable quarter as far
as the sea was concerned. Half the
! population Of the island visited the
scene OF the wreck during the day. and
| at low tide this forenoon many were
| able 10 get within a short distance Of
| the stra nded vessel
As the day drew to a close the sen
which had remained very tranquil since
| thu vessel grounded. began TO show signs
Of storm far orshore heavy swell
setting from the southeast, which broke
]
the Spartan.
Those on the beach kept as close 10 the
vessel possible, and about 7:30 o'clock
tonight some one was heard hailing from
| the Spartan that the stern showed signs
| OF breaking off Soon after came the four
| Whistles for assistance, the last blast ex-
! piring in a weak gasp. as II the water had
! reached the fires and the steam had be-
! come exhausted
| TOOK OFF II MEN
The New Shoreham life savers at once
! responded and soon the little boat could
| he plainly seen creeping around the end
| OF the breakwater and heading for tho
| stranded steamer. The life savers re-
turned at $50 o'clock with II Of the crew.
Those who landed were the two quar-
termasters the fireroom gang and num-
ber OF the deckhands. They reported
| that the heavy seas had broken all the
bulkheads In the boat and that she was
! fun OF water from stem to stern.
The waves, when the crew left, were
/ pounding very hard on the stern. which
showed some signs OF breaking off. II was
/ believed, however, thtt-the- balance OF
the crew would he safe until morning.
The breaking I'm of the bulkheads OK
/ tinguished tho fires. and will add greatly
To the work OF hoa ting the vessel.
The II members OF the crew who went
! ashore were all housed at the New
Shoreham station. They saved many Of
their personal effects.
The Spartan lies broadside on tho
beach. heading about southwest and her
position seemed TO indicate that those
in charge Of her believed that she had
cleared the point and had swung her
OF on her course down the coast.
Last night arrangements were made
with Uriah Dodge 10 tackle the Job Of
salvage early tomorrow morning II is
barely an even chance. he thinks. that
she can he saved, everything depending
on the condition of the sea.
AN ALMOST HOPELESS CASE.
The spartan was subjected "a such a
battering during the night from = h~sv
northeast gale that At dawn today the
chances Of saving her seemed almost
hopeless,
captain Briggs and four ~ his crew
stlll remained on board but al the peril
OF their lives
When the Spartan ploughed her way
up on the beach about half a mile north
Of the Southeast light at o'clock yes
terday morning II looked as II she might
ultima tely he fioated provided the wealth
er held favorable and wreckers arrived
speedily. Those on board were greatly
encouraged when the New London wreck
ing feet arrived on the scene just before
sunset last night and word was received
that a,larser feet was on the way from
Boston
The day had been calm. although The
weather was very thick
The Spartan. however, had gone ashore
on the top OF n high course OF tides and
rested on great bolders. several OF which
had pierced her bottom and stove I'm
large hole In her FORWARD compartment
and she lay in a particularly exposed po-
sltion.