New-York tribune., 1909-02-27
MOHAWK ON THE ROCKS
REVENUE CUTTER BADLY
CAUGHT IN HE'LL GATE.
She Is Leaking, but Pumps Are
WorkiHg WeILMaHy Vessels
TO -.
Rush to Her assistance.

on Board United States Revenue Cutter Mo-
| hawk Feb 26.-The United States revenue cut
ter Mohawk bound from New London for
Tompkinsville, aground on Little Hog
Back Hell Gate. at 5:15 O'Clock tonight. With
the fall OF the tide the bow is resting on two
bad rocks. and it is feared they Will tear hole
in her bottom when the tugs pull on her.
She is leaking badly. Some water is in the
freroom. but the pumps are keeping ahead of
the flow. Several beams in the bow are broken
and others are bent.
Three powerful tugs are standing by. pom
toons and lighters the way from the
navy yard and the Merritt Chapman Wrecking
Company. The revenue cutter Pontoon Is on the
scene steam lighter transfer will leave the
navy yard as soon as two barges can be col
lected. The revenue cutter Apache will follow
she returns from Iona Island. The
ship is lying badly the starboard side.
Officials at Washington are in constant wire
less communication with the vessel through the
United Wireless station. a diver is coming from
the Merritt Cha pman company
Running at half speed through He'll Gate on
her way from New London. Conn. TO Tompkins
Vile the first class revenue cutter Mohawk
struck a submerged reef known as Little Hogs
Back and stuck hard and fast the spine OF
the rock. The reef is situated about two hun
dred feet southeast OF Wards Island and a
little more than mile from Astoria. 1t is be-
lieved the vessel be foated to-day.
The boat caught in the strong ebb tide
which rushes through the channel at this point
with the velocity OF a mirace, and II appeared
to those who were watching tho boat from shore
that the Mohawk had lost control Of her steering
gear.
The boat bore down upon the reef broadside
on, and when she struck the jagged rock there
vas crash that could be heard on the Long
Island shore.
The revenue cutter Manhattan at once
dispatched to the aid of the stranded vessel
from her station the navy yard. while the
police launch c. IN charge of Sergeant William
Beacher and ten patrolmen also started for the
scene Several other boats later sent
the place including the frebOat George b. Nc
Clellan transfer tugs Nos. II and Is. of the New
York New Haven & Hartford Railroad Com
pany: a tug from the Merritt Chapman Wreck
ing Company and a tug from the Mcconnell
Wrecking Company, Of Harlem
1t was expected that the boat could be 1oated
at high tide which due at about 3:$0 O'Clock
this morning.
Captain Hamlet and Lieutenant Cochran, of
the revenue cutter service returned to the Bat
terry on the Manhattan late last night They
said they had talked with Captain Staley H.
I.andrey of the Mohawk. who gave the follow
ing explanation OF how the accident occurred:
LAS we came through He'll Gate on way to
Tompkinsville for supplies met two lighters
coming in the opposite direction The tide !
running swiftly a: the time but l tried to go TO
starboard. the lighters also endeavoring 10 go to
starboard l feared. however that 1 could not
pass them very close. and to avoid
running them down. with possible consequent
loss of life l took the risk Of going out of my
course. I drawing thirteen feet of water at
the time and promptly found myself on the
rocks
he Mohawk is a steel boat OF $50 tons bur !
den and $50 feet long She carries a crew of +,
twenty-five men and two small guns. Her wire
less apparatus was called into play almost as
soon as she struck the reef. and of great
service in summoning aid and in keeping the /
officials at the navy yard and other posts in
formed Of the boats condition