The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-01-08
KENTUCKY DAMAGED
 BY THE COLLISION
RATTLEsHIP ALABAMA STRIKES HER CHANGING BLOW WHEN KEARsARGE AND KENTUCKY RAN AGROUND.

New York January 7.-While the battle ship squadron under command of Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans was proceed ing to sea today the battleships Kearsarge and Kentucky ran aground in the lower harbor off the west bank light. The Ala bama and Illinois were followed next in line, and before they could alter their course the Alabama collided with the Kentucky, striking her a glancing blow The Illinois just got clear of the tangle and proceeded down the bay anehoring outside the bar with the flagship Maine. The accident occurred shortly after D. m. They remained by to render as- sistanoe to the Kentucky and Kearsarge and wireless messages were sent to the Brooklyn navy yard for tugs.
 At 2:45 o'clock the kearsarge and Ken lucky both were fioated and started for sea accompanied by the Alabama The Kentucky, however was ordered back and returned to Tomkinsville, where she anch- ored later this evening.
 The Maine, Illinois, Alabama and Rear sarge remained off of the bar until 5:S o'clock, when they left anchorage and proceeded to sea.
 A wireless message was received at the Brooklyn navy yard today from the bat tleship Kentucky, statlng that the star board side of the vessel above the water line had been quite badly damaged Tn the collision with the Alabama
 It also was stated that the Kentucky will come to the navy yard tomorrow TOT repairs
 The squadron of battleships was bound for Hampton Roads, where the several divisions of the North Atlantic fleet now in home waters, are to be assembled un- der Rear Admiral Evans, preparatory to sailing for West Indian waters, and cen tral American waters for the annual win ter maneuvers.
 The battleships had gathered in New York harbor again undergoing extensive repairs, some at the Boston and some at the Brooklyn navy yards. The fleet had been divided following the visit of Prince Louis of Battenberg of New York.
 The battleships anchored off Tompkins- ville. S. L. last night under orders to pro- ceed to sea today. It was near< o clock this afternoon before the entire squad ron was under way. The flagship Maine with Admiral Evans on board head ed the column, the Kearsarge and Ken lucky following These latter were swept slightly out of their course and being deep in the water with heavy supplies on board, and coal bunkers full grounded just off the west bank light. The navigat- ing officer of the Alabama made every effort to swing wide of the grounded ships, but the sweep of the strong flood tide that was running, carried the Ala bama to the Kentucky with a crash Luckily the blow was a glancing one. | fell on the starboard side The Illinois barely missed colliding with the two yes sells already in trouble.
 There was a rapid exchange of signals the Alabama which had not been injured being ordered to stand by to render as sistance tos the Kearsarge and Kentucky 1 When thee navy yard tugs arrived tn battleships were soon pulled into deep wa ter and both started for the navy yard Rear Admiral Evans, however, ordered the Kentucky to turn back and proceed to the navy yard for repairs which vii be done.
 The Alabama, Maine. Kearsarge ant | Illinois should arrive in Hampton Road late tomorrow night or early Tuesda, morning As soon as the Kentucky join the fleet. Admiral Evans will probabl introduce court of inquiry to investigat the grounding of the two ships and tn subsequent collision.