New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-09
KENTUCKY A SAD SIGHT.
BattIeshp Back in Brooklyn Nary
Y0rd-BIame Not Fared.

Damaged but not disabled by her collision
with the Alabama on Sunday, the United States
battIeship Kentucky lying at her old perth
at the Brooklyn Navy Yard yesterday 10 the
ordinary observer approaching the snip from the
when she left the yard last Saturday. From
when she left the ard last SATURDAY from
the after end of the superstructure to the STERN
on the starboard side, however, her upper WORKS
were a wreck Shorn of her awning stahchlohs
and with a great bruise, or dent, ABOUT elsnt
feet long at the upper edge of the plates. where
they meet the waterways or scuPpers' anu WIN
the captains gig, smashed almost to klnollng
mood living on deck she presented a forlorn
appearance.
Hinder the direction of Naval Constructor ID.
c. Nutting jr, gang of men began work on
the Kentucky early in the morning soon after
she reached her pier. The damage to ner plates
extends over an area of some twenty-five square
feet, breaking into the captains cabin He
is now occupying the admirafs quarters Ma
chni rs were set to work at once with pneu-
matte drills and cold chise1s cutting off the
rivets, so that the broken plates might be
speedily removed
From a scow moored close to the ships star
board quarter two divers were at work all the
forenoon to find out whether the ships star
board propeller was damaged. They also exam
ined the ships hull below the water line but
they found no damage to either.
Captain E B. Barry and his officers estimate
that the damage to the ship can be repaired In
two weeks or less. The Kentucky. 1t Is under
stood will be placed in No. drydock at the first
opportunity to ascertain beyond all question
whether any Of her plates have been damaged
In speaking of the collision yesterday, and the
causes which led to 1t, Captain Barry said: "The
ship did not strike hard enough for those on
deck to notice any shock, but the engineer
force heard the scraping of the sand and mud
as the vessel slid into it. It was the Alabama
port sponsor that did most of the damage to
us The tide was unusually low, and the
proximity of the ships hull to the bottom made
her steer badly. The Kearsarge, it would seem.
did the right thing by running aground in that
soft spot to avoid a collision"
Captain Barry, through Rear Admiral Cogh-
Ian has sent his official report of the accident
to Washington. court of inquiry will be held
to fix the responsibility. but whether it will be
held at Washington or on board the flagship
Maine is not known.
Pilots and other shipping men, after reading
the account of the grounding of the battleshtps
and the subsequent collision between the Ala
BAND and the Kentucky, agreed that it was a
great risk for those in command to attempt to
steam down the bay at high speed, in narrow
channel, at absolutely low water. lower, In fact,
than has been for some weeks, on account OF
the prevailing northwest wind. Pilots say that
the navigating officers of all the vessels follow
ing Admiral Evanss flagship. the Maine, should
have followed the channel rather than the flag.
An attempt made yesterday in some
quarters to place the blame of the grounding of
the ships and the collision on the respective
captains OF the vessels involved. AS matter
of fact. however. the captain has very little to
do with handling the battleship, He may be on
the bridge, but the navigating officer has full
charge while entering leaving port
Washington Jan slate this afternoon wire
less message was received at the Navy Depart
~.
second division. Atlantic fleet. board the flag
ship Alabama, reporting that his flagship could
complete the repairs made necessary by yesterE
days collision with the Kentucky, within two days
the navy yard, Norfolk ---~