Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-09-05
First district has been arrarsed to be held
at Burlington. September a.
CRUISER is IN BAD SHAPE
one Report says the Boston HAS
Foundcred. while Another
ContFadIcts This.

SEATTLE, Wash, Sept "A dispatch
to the Northumberland from Bcilinshsm
says the United States cruiser Boston
foundered at low tide in foe on the rocks
OF Peabody island I'm the straits OF Rosato
twenty-five miles from here, at noon yes
terday. The torpedo boat Paul Jones, on
passing the stranded vessel, was signalled
by the Boston and an effort Of an hour
was made to pull il free Finally the ris-
ing tide, which throws a strong eddy from
the Gulf OF Georgia into the strait. forced
the Jones to leave the Boston to its fate
and proceed to Bellingham without Il.
The cruiser Boston reached Bellingham
under its own steam at o'clock and at
midnight was sinking two miles of shore.
The plan OF Commodore .Coffman is to
beach the vessel II the water cannot be
kept down. .f.....f
A line of blue Jackets with a string Of
buckets is working in connection with the
pumps TO prevent the Boston from going
to the bottom. At a late hour an effort to
secure fire tugs with strong pumping ca
pacity was being made. Seven compart-
| ments are flooded aud the extent of the
damage cannot be determined. % eel .
The cruisers Boston and Princeton and
| the destroyer Paul Jones were directed to
leave Bremerton for Blaine for target prac-
nation. The Boston and Jones planned to
anchor here tonight and proceed early in
the morning for the northern town. The
| order has been countermanded and the
| future movements of the craft depend upon
| the outcome of the Bostons accident.
The officers and crew of the Jones arc
at the service of their fellows on the
| cruiser. The men were at work all night
/ keeping down the water.
| Information of the accident has been
sent to superior officers and orders are be-
ing awaited. As soon as water can be re-
duced an examination of the damage will
| be made.
The Boston is the flagship OF the Pacific
squadron. 1t has 1000 tons displacement
and carries 800 men.
| TACOMA, WASH, Sept A dispatch
| from Bellingham 10 the Ledger says: To
a representative OF the Ledger, who reached
the cruiser last night in dispatch boat.
Captain Coffman OF the cruiser Boston
said:
I'VE are not in a sinking condition or I
should have beached the cruiser as soon
as we reached the harbor. The pumps are
all working and are dlsposing of the water
easily. / cannot estimate the extent Of
the damage, but there is nothing to fear.
We were simply sailing in a very dense
fog and ran onto dry land.
Three hundred men are all very tired
with the days work. for 1t has been a
strenuous day with us. shall remain
here until | receive orders from the ad-
miral." ...
Every indication last night waa that IL
would not be necessary to beach the IA
nous war vessel and that II can be re-
paired at small expense,
| WASHINGTON. Sept. .4--According to a
telegram received at the Navy depart
ment today from Commodore Con-
man. commanding the cruiser Boston
which reported to have gone on the
rocks of Peabody islands, In the Straits OF
Rosario, the cruiser Is now in port al
rockingham, Wash. AS nothing was said
in the dispatch about any accident to the
ship the presumption at the department is
that it was not badly injured. 49,.
The torpedo boat Paul Jones also was
reported by Commander Coffman, to have
arrived at Beilingham
The Navy department has received a
second dispatch from Commander Con-
man. commanding the, CRUISER Boston
dated at Bellingham, Wash, as follows:
! Boston grounded September 3, on Pea,
l Dedy Rock, Rosario straits and fs leaking
Navy yard tug has been wired 20 assist
to Bremerton navy yard. Divers examin
ing ships hull since early morning. Sc
far unable to locate any leaks. Water
under control.