New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-14
Milwaukee Strikes on
California Coast i'm
Salvaging H-3
BREECHES BUOYS
TAKE MEN ASHORE
Dipped in Surf During
PeriIous Ride; Ship Will
Be Total Loss

Eureka. Cal, Jan. 13 As darkness
closed down tonight about half the
crew OF the United States protected
cruiser Milwaukee, which went ashore
on the Samoa Beach, near here, about
o'clock this morning had been trans.
ferred through a roaring surf in safety
to the beach by means OF breeches
buoy and two lifeboats.
On board the Milwaukee when the
current carried her into the surf were
eighteen officers and 421 men.
The Milwaukee. which draws 22.6
feet, had been thrown by the breakers
into water that was but II feet deep
at low tide. and the derelict heeled
at an angle of 30 degrees. Her double
bottom was filled with water and her
engine room flooded. II was thought
she had hole in her hull.
When the Milwaukee was cought by
the current and carried into the break
ers she was plling on a cable attached
to the stranded submarine HIS, which
went ashore December about half
mile from where the Milwaukee now
lies.
Ships Run TO Safety
The monitor Cheyenne and the navy
tug Iroquois. further of shore, both
had lines 10 the Milwaukee and were
endeavoring to hold the cruiser from
the clutches of the surf. The tidal cur
rent and the weight Of the heavy hawser
that was fast 20 the submarine proved
stronger than the combined power OF
the three vessels. and all we're being
dragged shorewsrd when the hawser 20
the cheyenne snapped and left the little
Ircquois TO battle alone with the tide
that was sweeping the Milwaukee into
the breakers.
Boatswsin Frank Bruce. commander
of the Iroquois. held on as long as he
dared and then saved his vessel from
the Milwaukee's fate by cutting the
hawser. Lieutenant William s. New
ton. in command OF the Milwaukee.
tried 10 follow Bruce's example and get
rid of the steel hswser fast to the H-3,
which was dragging him into the break
ers. but il was too late.
For nearly ten hours the crew waited
on the lee side for help from shore.
When the sun broke through the fog
that had enveloped the vessel since
dawn. it was seen that all on board
we're wearing life preservers.
Lifesavers Get Busy
Living as she did it was impossible
10 launch any Of the cruisers own
boats. but soon lifesavers of the Coast
Guard Service reached the scene from
their station, two miles distant
Four breaches buoys were swung 10
the Milwaukee and the men were being
brought ashore as fast as possible. Inc
lines had been attached TO the ships
masts With the loll of the vessel the
trolleys would slacken and then
straigbten out. dropping the buoys
with their human burden into the
breakers and alternately hosting them
into the arr.
Fifty men and Sea Rover. the ships
dog mascot. were landed just before
dark with the aid of surf boats, manned
bv coast lifesavers. One Of the sailors
said there was eight feet Of water IN
one fireroom and that two boilers nao
ebifted Medical treatment was given
to ,he rescued sailors By the naval
militia o. Eureka, members OF "nich
arrived with emergency equipment 'ale
in the afternoon.
Breakers were spraying over the
warship's superstructure. and the IN
cessant pounding OF the waves was
driving the vessel further ashore IN
tbe sand. The Milwsukee's false Dot
Tom vas flooded in an effort to anchor
her against the wash OF the sea. Naval
officers ashore said it was hardly pos
sible tnat the S4,000,0o0 cruiser ever
would float again.
H-3 Lost December IL
Difficulties of war vessels IN these
PARTS began December ID, wnen the
submsrin. HIS, coming down the coast
with the HI and H.. ran ashore TWO
miles above the entrance to Humboldt
Bav. having turned too soon IN max,
ing the harbor. Her crew was rescued
with difficulty.
Last Wednesday the Milwaukee, the
monitor Cheyenne and another boat
tried 10 pull the HIS out OF the sand.
A seaman was drowned Oft the NIL
waukee. wren boat upset, but the
submarine was not moved.
Admiral Csperton. commander OF the
Pacific feet. late to-day was ordered
TO take charge OF the relief OF the