Evening journal., 1909-12-13
PRAIRIE READY
FOR ANOTHER TRIP
Cruiser VIII Leave League
Island on Wednesday For
Nicaragua
CRUISER UNDAMAGED
BY RIVER MISHAP

The United States Cruiser Prairie. which,
was held on Pea Patch Island fats fora
nine days, Is receiving coal and provisions
at tho League Island Navy Yard prepa-l
ratory TO sailing for Nicaragua on We'd
nesday.
It Is said that In addition to the ibo mas
rines at League Island. who. under com-
hand OF Captains jolly and I,ymon will
board tho Prairie tomorrow. t5o more
are coming from tho Brooklyn Macy Yard
and others from other places. These are
expected 70 arrive tomorrow
Six Tugs Pulled.
The floating Of the Prairie was ac-i
compitshed unexpectedly, and almost
accidentally during ebb tide. For
nine days she had been held fast in
the mud, every effort OF a powerful
feet Of tugs proving unequal to the
task of setting her ahoat. Not even
the llghtering OF her stores and the
transfer OF the 700 marines, with large
amounts Of ammunition. to tho cruiaer
Dixie last Sunday avaiied to move
her. At last the experiment OF Dig
cling a deep trench all about the ves-
sci and sucking the mud from under
her hold by means of hydraulic dredgea
was resorted to.
The work lasted several days. but
when II was done the cruiser stili held
fast until the breaking OF a great
three-inch steel hawser. by which the
vessel was attached to the dredge
Delaware and fleet OF tugs sent a
Jar through the boat that threw every
= man aboard TO the deck. IL was
I enough 10 start the Prairie off hei
muddy bed. Three Red Star tugs, The
r Somers N. Smith, Juno and Newcastle
= and the Government tugs Somerset
Modoc and General A A. Humphreys
a had no trouble whatever In pulling
her into the improvised channel and
out into the stream. She then steam
ed under her own power up the river
TO the Navy Yard.
Not Damaged.
Il was thought that the stress and
strain 20 which the Prairie had been
subjected. both by the tides and the
} pulling OF the tugs would cause dam
age which would necessitate her going
into dry dock for thorough overhauling.
but an Official inspection showed not
the slightest damage. and steps were
taken 10 put her into commission az
once She was not the same white
beauty that sailed out OF the yard nine
days before, however, for her hull.
cabins and masts were blacl<ened with
the CRIME and smoke from the tugs
: and her sides were scratched and mar
red, where the stores had been taken
overheard. Otherwise she was as al
. as a fiddle and ready for any emer-
gency. She returned in charge Of the
Same pilot s.. L. LublSer, who was IN
control when she grounded He re-
NAMED on board the cruiser through
out her nine days in the mud, and was
J immensely relieved when Il was found
that the vessel was unin3ured.
The grounding OF the Prairie wal
one OF the most annoying incidents
that have happened I'm the navy IN
years Sailing under rush orders with
700 marines aboard, believed 20 be
bound for Nicaragua. she left the
. League Island navy yard at $50
o'clock on Thursday afternoon. De-
cember 2. with band playing and flag
flying followed by the cheers and good
wishes OF a great throng who had
, gathered 10 sec her or Two hours
later a wireless dispatch from Rear
Admiral Kimball, who was on board
notified Admiral Harris, commandant
at the navy yard, that the Prairie was
aground on Pea Patch Island. but
would probably be fioated In time 70
continue the trip at high tide on FRI
day. The hope was not realized, how
4 ever although Government tugs were
2 hurried TO her assistance. After three
days OF unceasins but futile effort this
Dixie was ordered from League Island
20 take on the marines and supplies
I and proceed to Central America.
May prop Investigation.
= The accident. or blunder-a Courf OF
Inquiry may have TO decide which--is
: still a puzzle 70 river men and those
: familiar with navigation. At the point
where the vessel should have been
. when she stranded there Is a 35fool
, channel. nearly haif-mile wide, while
Z the Prairie drew at the time only
; about 23.5 feet. It was at first sug-
gested that one of the range lights
E must have been out. misleading the
] pilot. .Lubker. into the belief that he
7 had passed II. Lubker later shouldered
( the whole responsibility, however
l. though refusing 70 make a statement
until after testifying before the Board
OF Inquiry.
The fact that there has been abso-
4 iutely no damage to the ship may
= lead the Government to not make an
4