Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-11
TEARING AN OLD SHIP
OF WAR TO PIECES
MEN ARE FAST DESTROYING THE
ST. LOUIS
VesesI Is Relic Of the Navy-First
Commissioned In 1928.
Shells Found in
Hold
Special to The Herald.


PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 10.-Long
strohg and sturdy figure in the annals
of war and once the center of bold
defiance that became historic, the old
sloop of war, St. Louis, helpless ana
silent, lies at Eddystone, while civilian
Workmen rend her vitals and tear her
to pieces. Condemned as worthless
some time ago, she was sold at auction
and the buyer is now mining in her.
depths for metals and beams, the chief
valuable things that still remain in her.
The ST. Louis was long used here at
Philadelphia as the receiving ship or
the Pennsylvania naval reserves, and
for that purpose was housed over" or
covered with shed-like structure that
included offices and quarters. In that
aspect she became a familiar object
here, though few who saw her knew or
cared about her eventful history.
AS she lies now at Eddystone the
housing and cover of the top deck have
been torn away, exposing the fittings,
tanks and contents of the ships in
terror. In her hold there have been
found a large quantity of old shells and
shot, stored there doubtless, during the
Civil War, and now rusted and obsolete.
The structure of her hull is still strong.
and prying crowbars have to be welded
forcefully to separate 1t.
The tanks, sheathing and metal fix
lures have the principal value now, and
are separated and selected, stored and
treasured in a way that would have
seemed absurd to persons familiar with
the junk methods a few years ago.
Thus far the ship has been practically
one third destroyed, though much the
most valuable portion of her hull re-
mains. Her bottom is sheathed with
copper to the estimated amount of sew
eral tons, and which. at the. present
price of that metal will probably alone
repay the purchaser the price he paid
for the hulk.
Figured In Famous Incident
The st. Louis was one of the very old
ships of the line of the American navy,
having been built bly, the government at
Washington in 1928. That, at least, was
the year in which her construction was
begun, though she was not commissioned
until several years after that date For
many years her career was uneventful.
cruises on the west coast of Africa and in
the Mediterranean figuring principally on
log that told of no remarkable occur
rences. In the war with Mexico the st.
Louis cruised in the gulf and stood off
the harbor of Vera Cruz to prevent the
landing of contraband goods. She was
not engaged at any time.
The most picturesque transaction in
long afterward, having happened after the
Civil War; while the ship was on the
Mediterranean station. This was at
Smyrna, when Capt. Ingraham had COM
mand. While ashore there at an official
dinner Capt. Ingraham was informed that
native of Smyrna, but a naturalized
American, was under arrest on board the
flagship of the Austrian squadron, seven
ships of which were then lying at onchor
A. !, rhA tic lat I1ofxry
two of these ships, each of which was OF
twice her size and armament, and COM
pared with which she looked like a
pygmy.
Hastily excusing himself in the midst
of the dinner, Capt. Ingraham returned to
his ship and sent an officer to the flag
ship with a demand forithe instant release
of the prisoner, In default of which he
threatened to Immediately fire on the
Austrian squadron. AT the same time he
cleared for action, sounded the calls to
quarters and the war tocsin and raised
his flag.
The prisoner was delivered before the
two hours were up, although either of the
two Austrian war ships alongside the ST.
Louis would alone have been able to blow
that craft out of the water. In naval and
military circles abroad the incident was
regarded as rather humorous, the i'm
characterized as strictly American" and
even In this country, while the audacity
of the commander was admired, his rec,1-
less threat of war was by no means un"
uualifiedly approved. The Austrian gov
eminent never mentioned the matter in
the usual diplomatic channels, though
American war ships were thereafter re-
garded with apprehension in Austrian
waters.
Old Vessel Now Stripped
The old gun deck of the st. Louis is now
exposed to view with its well, where the
12-pounders were dashed to the sides, its
obsolete quarterback above and the cabins
of the OFFICERS at the stern. Her broad
beam and roomy design are. in sense,
in distinct and curious contrast to what
now prevails on men of-war, with their
compartments, turrets, bar
bettes. coming towers. lifts and other
equipments, between which in places
there is scarcely room for a man to pass.
The guns of the old navy needed room to
run in the recoil, cylinders to take up the