Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-09-06
ON A CORAL Reef.
The Army Transport, Sheridan Is
on a Rock off BARRIERS Point
Neat Honolulu.
THE MACHINERY IS BROKEN
Heavy Surf Prevents Landing Pass
sensers Of Whom There Are 12S
and so sOIdiers-CaA, tain AS
sumes Responsibility.


States army transport Sheridan will
125 passengers and 50 soldiers aboart
struck coral reef off BARRIERS Point
the southwestern extremity Of the Is
land OF Oahu on which Honolulu Il
situated at o'clock Friday morning
There Is no beach at the place
where she struck and the heavy sur
makes 1t practically impossible to lant
in that vicinity. The second off
Ger Of the Sheridan has succeeded In
reaching the shore but mis- boat was
swanlped in the breakers the crew
however, landing safely.
The transport blew her whistles at.
ter going ashore, but did not get into
Communication with Honolulu un-
til the wireless telegraph station was
opened. Owing to the fact that the
Sheridan Is provided with water tight
compartments and has double bot
tom, 1t is believed that she has sus-
tanned no serious damage. The tug
Fearless has started for the scene
and will render all the assistance In
her power.
The Sheridan's main steam pipe is
broken and the vessel is helpless SO
Jar as her own power Is concerned. 1t
is reported that the breaking of the
pipe occurred just before the steam
er grounded and that the crippled CON
dition of her engines was the cause Of
the accident.
Immediately after the vessel struck
the reef the lifeboats were lowered
ana efforts made to reach the shore.
The position Of the steamer apparent
iy is alarming, but her boats have not
yet been able to find place where
.ney can land.
The natives have reached the YES
sci through the surf in canoes Cap
ain Peabody says that If power is
applied quickly, he believes the Sher-
dan can be saved, but otherwise there
is little hope for the transport. The
swell is very heavy and the cora.
rocks are very sharp. Good order is
maintained on board the vessel. The
transfer of the passengers either to
the shore or to other craft SO they
can be brought to this city is a Sc
rious problem.
The second officer of the Sheridan
has came ashore. His boat was
swamped in the breakers but her crew
Landed safely. Captain Peabody has
signaled the steamer Claudine to take
the Sheridan's passengers to Honolulu.
II possible the transfer will be made
at once, the revenue cutter Manning
assisting. The report that the Sher-
lden's machinery broke down before
the vessel struck Is denied. The sher-
idan Is now hanging on a rock amid
ships with deep water all around.
The. sheridan's engines are being
repaired and coal is being rapidly
thrown overheard with view of try
ing to float her at high tide.
Captain Peabody is quoted to have
ASSUMED all responsibility for the
accident, saying that the vessel was in
TOO close
The Sheridan has aboard 125
through passengers and so soldiers.
The transport Sheridan, Capt. Pea
BODY, sailed from Manila on August
Is for San Francisco She touched
1t Nagasaki on August II and
vas expected to arrive in San Fran
cisco about September 8. The Sheri-
Ian is 450 feet long, with beam of
10 feet. Her registered .5nnage Is s.
100.
At six O'Clock Friday night 1t was
thought that many II not all of the
Sheridan's passengers would be oblig-
ed to spend the night aboard the
steamer. Only two boats had reached
shore and one of these was badly
smashed in the surf. A wireless mes
sage had been sent for another steam.
Dr. to assist In taking the passengers
,ff. The surf is very heavy and the
,ransfers of passengers will be very
iifficult.,
The position Of the Sheridan is
very serious but 1t is predicted that
she will be floated.