New-York tribune., 1910-10-03

Cor final review and publication.
The exact number of the men lost will
never be definitely known, as it is barely
rossible that some OF them in the launch
may have been picked up by shore boats.
and, after being landed somewhere along
the river front. decided TO take advan-
tage of the opportunity thus offered TO
desert. That any of the New Hamp-
shsre-s men should pursue such a course
is considered SO improbable as to be
hardly worth reckoning with.
Midshipman Godfrey de Courcelles
Chevalier, -ho had command Of both the
steamer and the sailing launch on Sat
urday evening. collapsed after making a
number of heroic rescues, and on Satur-
day night was in an alarming condition,
both mentally and physically. Yester-
day he showed Improvement, and even
applied to be returned 10 duty. but Cap
tain Rodgers considered II best to con-
tinue him on the sick list
The tragedy brought out stories o:
heroism both on the part of the officer
IN command and the men under him
that will brighten the records OF the
listed man with the rating Of painter,
leaped overheard and saved FIVE lives
He was throttled by a drowning sailor
whom he was attempting TO save ana was
drowned. The men who could swim be
haved with gaIlantry, and most of those
who could not showed they knew how TO
meet death like men.
Why Loss Was Heavy.
The heavy loss of life is attributed TO
several causes. among them these: 1t
was absolutely dark when the boat
sxamped: the men were thrown into the
river almost in a solid mass. falling on
top Of one another, and there was
strong tide racing up the river.
Officers Of the New Hampshire said
Yesterday that while il is impossible to
determine Just how many men were in
the sailing launch when she swamped' IL
was not believed that the number could
have exceeded eighty-six or ninety Inc
same cutter was loaded with hundred
OF the New Hampshire's men yesterday
afternoon, and Lieutenant Commando
scofieid said that she had twelve inches
OF freeboard showing, which, he added'
was considered more than ample tor
navigation in the North River
Midshiprnan ChevaIier. as commander
of bofl, launch and steamer. had the au-
thorlty 10 exercise his judgment as to
the number of men he chose 10 allow TO
enter either.
There was q rumor that some one OF
the sailors IN the launch had taken OUT
the plug. and either Intentionally or as
a Joke caused the swamping. the 1Tlp-
slne was unable to get any confirmation
Of this report, which was generally dis
credited and laughed at.
AT the time of the accident neither
Captain Rodgers nor his executive ofacer
was on board the New Hampshire. The
shin was in charge OF Lieutenant Com
rnander F. H. Brumby. the navigation
officer.
Louisiana First to Aid Men.
The Louisiana was the ship closest 10
she launch when she swamped, ana as
soon as she noted the plight OF the
launch she sounded her siren, sent
steamers and Iifeboats over and rushed
thern to the scene of the accident. The
New Hampshire and other ships of the
division quickly followed slit Other as
sistance was rendered promptly by the
shore boats in the vicinity
The New Hampshire anchored in the
North River opposite 157th street few
days ago. She had just returned from
target practice on the Southern drill
grounds The men had been at sea for
a long time. and at the ports she touched
Nj was impracticable to grant the men
thore liberty, so Captain Rodgers gave
Narge numbers OF them short leaves of
absence as soon as she let go her anchor.
Liberty expired for a large number OF
these men Saturday evening. They were
70 report at the dock at the foot OF 15lth
street and be taken on board. The officer
of the deck ordered away one of the
steamers and a thirty-three-foOt sailing
launch TO bring the liberty party aboard.
Midshipnan Cheyalier who was gradu-
ated from the Naval Academy last June
and was assigned 10 the New Hamp-
shire. was standing watch as boat of
fcer, and he was sent ashore TO bring
back the returning sailors and put in
charge Of both boats.
The steamer towed the sailing launch,
which had her masts unshipped. The
usual hawser and the usual length OF
tow line Were used. At the last moment
dutch" Karl, a painter, requested per-
mission to so on the sailing launch rs
one of it's crew. 1t was granted. and he
jumped in fust before the boats showed
off from the battleship. The landing at
the New Hampshire's wharf was made
without incident
ROlIieking Bunch Of Sailors.
Midshipman Chevalier found q rollick-
sng bunch OF sailors waiting on the
wharf. All OF them had enjoyed their
taste OF liberty and ali were in the best
az humor. The men were not mustered
ON the landing place. That is always
done on the quarterback of the ship.
Chevalier gave the or6e: Shove off,
and the steamer slowly described an arc
and then headed for the New Hamp-
shire The launch was heavily loaded,
and some OF the survivors say they no
iiced she do not have any too much
sreeboard There was not room for all
Df the men 10 sit down. and the major
afy of them were standing anG laughing
and talking II the reports of the sur
-.s.....- $50 SaCr9orf tbape srr.s li+-le or