New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-31
CANADIAN CRUISER HITS
ROCKS; |MPALED 5 HOURS
Her Hull Pierced in Several
PIaCeS-BoatS Lowered at
First TO Abandon Vessel.
SOUTHWEST OF CAPE SABLE
Wireless Calls for Help Heard as
Far as Boston-The Niobes
Plight Aggravated by
Fog and Gale.

Halifax. y s. July g-The new Cana
dian navy vas nearly deprived OF half its
strength to-day. when the flagship Niobe
crashed on the lodges 70 the south
west Of Cape Sable. Five hours later she
foated. leaking badly, and proceeded under
her own power 70 Shag Harbor ten miles
away. where she is at anchor with six
fathoms OF water and soft mud bottom
under her
The first to reach the side OF the disabled
cruiser was the United States revenue cut
ter Androscoggln. which was cruising In
the vicinity. The Niobe's wireless call for
help was picked up first by the Andres
coggin. which promptly flashed back that
she would stand by to help and would do
all I'm her power.
Through tho dense fog and heavy sea.
which is believed 10 have been the cause
Of the Nlobe's accident, the Androscoggin
rushed. and was standing ny tho cruiser
when the Canadian government steamers
Stanley and Lady Laurer. which had been
sent TO the scene. arrived from St John,
y. r. with the tug McNaughton. Of Var
mouth
The Niobe. however. found that she was
able 20 take care Of herself. Although
water was pouring into several compart-
ments. her pumps kept her fairly clear,
and Commander Mcdonald Of the cruiser.
expressing his thanks to tho American cut
ter for her help. proceeded to a safe harbor.
conveyed only oy the tug.
At Shag Harbor divers from the warship
went over the side and placed mattings
over some Of the larger rents In the hull.
r the weather IS favorable tomorrow
Commander Mcdonald Is confident he can
proceed safely TO Halifax for repairs
II is possible that the cause Of tho acct
dent will not he disclosed until n IL
brought out at the official marine inquiry.
which is certain 20 follow. II Is known that
a heavy fog enshrouded the coast and II
ls said also that there was a southeast
gale blowing Commander Mcdonald and
tne other officers Of the Niobe were nom
communicative tonight when querted nv
wireless for statement &c 70 the cause ~
the stranding
Sixteen men who left the cruiser IN two
boats were the cause of much anxiety for
many hours after the accident as they
we're lost IN the fog and AT the mercy ~
the gale and the strong tide. which II was
feared would wreck them on one Of the
many lodges that abound about Cape Sable.
Eut Il was learned nv wireless tonight
that all had rejoined their ship. They got
back 70 the cruiser in one boat. the other
apparently having been wrecked. as vas
feared
Ready 70 Abandon Vessel.
So grave was considered the plight Of the
Niobe when she first grounded that COM
mander Mcdonald had ordered all boats
cleared away, ready 70 abandon the vessel
II uecessa-v The two boats which were
lost for time with their crews were the
first over the side, general Launching Of tho
boats having been deferred until definite
IDEA Of the condition of the vessel had been
gained.
The MODE piled mp on the Southwest
Ledge az 12.25 o'clock this morning while
rounding cape Sable. the southernmost
point II Nova Scotia. She was bound for
Halifax, her home port. from Yarmouth,
where her officers and crew had been par
ticipatng In an old home week" celebra-
ticn. Cape Sable, with its jutting and sub
merged lodges, its cross-tides Of great VIC
source IL dread 70 the mariner at all times.
but the navigators Of the Niobe We're
forced 10 unusual caution by the presence
Of dense pail Of fog
The cruiser was feeling her way slowly
along the coast when she struck but the
impact was so heavy as 20 drive the ship
hard upon the pinnacle OF rock and 10
arouse every man on board. awake or
asleep, to a realization OF disaster i'm
pending
Almost al the instant Of impact the call
10 quarters was sounded and every man
Of the six hundred on board responded
with naval precision. There was no panic
and the order 20 clear away the boats
was executed as II in routine drill.
The engineer reported after a hurried ex-
animation that the sea was rushing into
the vessel ar a rapid rate through a hole
under the starboard engine room. Pumps
were at once manned and set at work,
and Il was found that they could dispose