Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-05
MUSIC MEN PROTEST YANKEE SINKS AGAIN
Brief Filed Against Marine Collision Smashes in Port and
Band Decision Cruiser Fills.
RIGHT TO PLAY FOR PAY BEACHlNG ATTEMPT FAILS
Attorney Generals Ruling Contested Being
in Appeal to President. Towed to New Bedford.
CALLED CONTRARY TO LAW HAWSERS PARTED TEN TIMES
p,,.,.r+o onn ud
ooinhanoer "arsn ana Eisht
,,,o... Rigging.
Collision Smashes in Port and
Cruiser Fills.
3EACHING ATTEMPT FAILS
Floated Yesterday and Was Being
Towed to New Bedford.
HAWsERS PARTED TEN TIMES
Tug Slammed Against Her in Gale.
Commander Marsh and Eight
Others Climb Rigging.

NEW BEDFORD. Mass. December .
Freed from Spindle rock. AT the western
entrance 10 BuzZards bay. where she had
been inpaled for ten weeks. the United
States cruiser Yankee sank six fathoms
deep early today near what is known
the Sand spit. while being towcd to this
city for repairs
She lies a short distance to the nor. h
of Pcnikese Island and not far from the
ledge on which she had rested since
September -; last. The sinking Of the
cruiser occurred at 4 O'clock this morning.
exactly twelve hours after she was float
ed from the ledga.
In spite of the dscourasing situation
il is believed the vessel can he raised
Work to that end will he begun before
night.
Hawsers Break Ten Times.
The cause of today's accident. the cul-
mination of u series of misfortunes which
have befallen the Yankee, was an un-
usually heavy sea kicked up 10y high
northwest gale.
The Yankee, in tow of tie tugs John
Harlan and Powla al and conveyed by
the naval collier Lebanon. was proceed
ing slowly from Spindle rock 20 this
port. In the gale and heavy seas the
hawsers had parted for the tenth time.
The tug John Harlan was trying to con
meet another towing line wen she was
lifted a wave and slammed against
the side of the cruiser The impact
smashed i'm a port in the compartment
where three air compressor were al work.
Water which poured in through the open
port disabled the air pumps, after which
the compartment rapidly .ilied. The
cruiser did not sink a: once.
Capt. James r. McAllister. in charge
Of I,ns i'm
work. in view o. the danger. warned the
members of the wrecking crew to leave
the ship. All but six of tine ninety-two
men left
well as the wreckers could do it. An at
tempt was made to drag her to Penikese
| Island and beach her there.
Suddenly Fills and Sinks.
| This plan seemed likely to succeed.
when, 4oA far from the island. the cruiser
filled suddenly and sank I'm forty-two
| feet of water.
Commander Charles c. Marsh Of the
Yankee. Capt McAllister. Engineer Weth-
erspoon and the six members of the
wrecking crew who were on board ran
,Ip the rigging and later jumped safely on
board the Powhatan.
The Yankee went down in sheltered
position and took bottom on an even keel.
She rested on sand. Her forward deck.
spars and the top of her funnel are above
the surface of the water.
The collier Lebanon is standing by. The
wrecking crew. Commander Marsh, Capt
McAllster and Engineer Wetnerspoon
were brought here during tae day by the
Powhatan and the John Harlan.
The officers planned to return TO the
scene of the wreck later. taking diver
with them. They believe the cruiser can
be refoated.
The tug John Harlan suffered some
what from her impact against the Yam
kee Railing and stanchons about the
pilot house of the tug we're carried away.
The comma nder of the tug, Capt. Chase.
had narrow escape from serious injury
The sinking of the Yankee was the cui-
mination of all unfortunate cruise from
Newport TO he neighborhood OF Mar
tha's Vineyard to attend the submarine
fiotilla in their fall nldneuvers
Strikes in Thick Fog.
While on her way from cuttybunh to
Newport for a supply of coal the Yankee
struck on Spindle rock. a part Of the
Hen and Chickens reef at the western en-
trance to Buzzards bay. during thick
fog OH September p
After persistent efforts by the Sovetn-
mont to free tile cruiser had failed. John
Arhuckle the New York sugar reiineT
believing ne could feat the vessel by use
| of compressed air, offered his services n
contract was made between Arbuckle ana
the Navy Department by the terms ol
which he was to get SSI..to If he hoated
the Yankee, while, if he failed, he was
to receive $4,000 as part payment tor
his services. \ long and difficult task
was presented. Yesterday the Yankee was
t!oated.
The commander of The Yankee, Com
mander Charles &. Marsh has remained
on board the Yankee ever since she struck
the ledge.
Up to tue time when the cruiser found
cred today Commander Marsh had lett
her deck but one. On that occasion he
went to Newport TO consult with naval
officials on the plans for floating the Nee-