Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-18
AMERICAN CONSUL
SAVES VALUABLE
FEDERAL VESSEL
lugPo Potomac, Finest in Navy,
Rescued From Newfound-
land Ice Floes byResource-
full Amateur Engineering.

|
The United States naval tug Potomac,
which was solidly frozen in the New
foundland ice fields last January and
given up for lost, was turned over to the
Government at the Brooklyn Navy Yard
| few weeks ago through the efforts of
Ozro c. Gould, of the United States Con-
sular Service.
Mr. Gould, Consul at Bay of Islands,
N. F.. saved the powerful ocean-going
tug Potomac from becoming a total loss
and turned her over to his Government
practically unscathed, but few days
ago he returned to his post not one
penny the richer as a reward for his
clever engineering work. United States
property cannot be salvaged and the Gov
ernment pays no extra reward for gal
liant work performed by its employees.
The saving of the Potomac was a dar-
Ing engineering feat. The rescue of the
tug was effected only after the most
ditficult kind of work in the ice fields off
Newfoundland.
ON ERRAND OF MERCY.
The Potomac, the finest tug in the
navy, was dispatched to Newfoundland
from Norfolk, Va, January % to cut out
the American schooner Hiram Lowell, of
Bucksport, Me-. which was fast in the
ice. The crew of the Potomac also re-
ceiVed orders to l!berate the schooner
Gecrgie Campbell, which was also held
in the ice but the latter vessel was de-
s,royed the day the tug left Norfolk
The Potomac roacNed Paw of Islands
on February and two days later sailed
search of the Hiram Lowell lmue-
diately the rescuing tug ran into ice
and was blown out to sea in blizzard, to
become caught IN the ice herself. Consul
Gould had given the captain Of the tug
explicit directions as to the location OF
the Lowell. and when he did not hear
from her in few days he ordered look
outs along the coast to keep a sharp
watch for the Potomac on Feb IA
8 he received report that she was fast
in the ice :" - drt =" r"' w0"d The
next day, February TO- the tug was re-
ported at Roche Harbor. at the entrance
to Bonne Bay.
Immed ately Consul Gould secured 30
men and dispatched two tons of food to
the crew of the tug. 1t was necessary for
the 10 men to make two trips with the
food, as each carrier was able to carry
only about 80 pounds over the jagged ice.
Mr. Gould was confined to his bed at
Bay of Islands with badly injured foot
Potomac and her predicament he left
for Bcnnr Bav, travelling on snowshocS,
and arriving February II.
Upon his arrival he found that the Off
GERS and crew had abandoned the Poto-
mac, leaving everything but light effects
aboard the seemingly doomed craft. 1t
was necessary to get the crew of the tug
back to Bay of Islands and for three
days the consul put the 81 men through
a course in snowshoeing. as the trip had |
to be made afoot, and over the snow |
covered mountains. After a two weeks |
5nowshoe trip the party arrived at Bay !
Of Islands, February rs, having been just |
two weeks.
ORDERED TO RESCUE TUG
on the day of his arrival back at Bay |
If Islands with the crew of the Potomac,
nc wired the Secretary OF the Navy of
he condition of affairs. and he was
ordered, by telegraph. to save the
Potomac. 1t was a most unusual order
rs the Navy Department had no reason
o believe that Consul Gould knew any
hing about seafaring life. Naval experts
II Newfoundland declared II would be
impossible to save the vessel; that she
vas sure to be crushed by the ice in the
straits OF Belle Isle,
But I had sailed my own sloop con-
iderably In those waters in the two years
have been stationed at Bay of Islands.
md felt that the Potomac wasn't going
through the Straits OF Belle Isle," de-
Jared Mr.. Gould in Boston the other day.
MY knowledge of her position in the
ce, n close study of the drift of the ice
md the other conditions that prevailed
ave me confidence that the Potomac
ould be saved"
First of all the work was divided into
hree jobs. 1t was necessary to get men
board the Potomac and keep them there,
o half a dozen were engaged 10 board
he icebound craft, build and maintain
res I'm her boilers and prevent the loot
lg of the tug. A shore crew was secured |
0 provide fuel, and several hundreds of /
ords of green and dried brentwood was
arried on board for consumption. The !
Tewfoundlanders went aboard March II
nd did excellent work until May 5. when !
Ir. Gould appeared on the scene in
erson.
QUELLs AIUTINY ON POTOMAC. {
Upon his arrival, however. the crew
lutinied They apparently foresaw the
scape of the tug with the breaking up !
/ the ice, and they made unreasonable /
emands. They were not satisfied with
ne pay agreed upon, although the wages
light be considered extraordinary How q
yer he stood them off all alone until 6
lay q, when they surrendered, !
The second part OF the expedition con- J
sted IN making arrangements 10 have Z
vessel pick up the Potomac the moment I
he should become free, and to this end Z
le steam trawler, the Wren, OF Halifax, c
as chartered IL Vas feared that when d
ne Potomac should ailoat her engines q
light be useless because OF their long 4
activity and the severe cold. and In q
rat case there vas danger Of her beikg c
Fiyen easterly or through the Straits OF Q