The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1918-06-07

lowered over her hull, and there was
other heavy frame work placed
above decks to give her a maximum
of efficiency in loading or discharg-
ing coal.
In case Of heavy list to port or
starboard, perhaps to the extent of
As degrees, the Cyclops, burdened
with her heavy derricks, was per-
haps unable to swing back into
equilibrium, crashed over to one side
and quickly settled. The heavy car
go of manganese might have shift
ed and hindered the ship from right
ing after a severe list.
Moreover, vessels which returned
to Atlantic ports about the time the
Cyclops was due, reported that un-
usually stormy weather had been en-
Caught in the trough of heavy sea,
the Cyclops might have capsized and
gone down in gale dragging down
beneath her hull all deck equip
fioated on the surface as an indica-
tion of her fate.
The theory that the Cyclops sud-
denly went down in a storm is about
the only theory that adequately
would explain her failure to wire
less in case of danger. The fact
that no radio calls ever came from
the vessel is one phase that charac-
terizes the disappearance of the ship
as one of the most mysterious in
modern sea annals.
Leaving the West Indian harbor
on March the Cyclops was expect
ed to touch at an Atlantic port on
March 13. When attention was
called to the fact that she was few
days overdue, no anxiety was felt
because it was known she had one
engine out of commission. However
when week passed and there was
even no news that sne had been
sighted, a feeling OF great appre-
hension swept over the navy depart
ment. Every effort was made to
find her, but on April IA the depart
ment gave permission to publish the
fact, which long had been withheld
Secretary Daniels still clings to
the hope that the mystery will be
cleared. but there are not many in
the department who share his view.
The call of blue water always has
stirred and will ,stir the blood of
men but just as much as in romance
the seven seas abound in tragedy.
The ocean has taken it's annual
heavy toll Of human fife from the
time of the modern ocean liner and
floating steel fortress, back to the
days of the ancient Phoenecians who
braved the wild seas of the Mediter-
ranean in their frail craft and pick
ed their way even to far-off England
to barter for Cornwall tin
The loss of merchant shipping has
been great-particularly in these
days Of the ruthless undersea rover
but fortunately the United States
navy has carried Americas flag over
the worlds waters for nearly a cen
tury and a half without particularly
severe losses, due to the elements.
From the records of the navy de.
partment there has been compiled a
brief list of several naval vessels
which sailed and then went down ir
the oceans nav without leaving q
soul TO tell the story
The Saratoga, a ship Of 18 guns
commanded by Captain John Young
was lost at sea with all on board or
March. 1881.
a few years later the Genera
Gates, also a ship Of Is guns. built
in 1877 or 1878, was lost without
a trace.
The Pickering. brig OF IA guns
weighing 1877 tons and carrying q
crew of ninety men, sailed from
Newcastle, Del, on August 20, 1906
in command of Lieut. b. Hillar
Bound for the Guadalupe station
she was never heard from that date
it is believed that she foundered in
an equinoctial gale in September
that same year.
The Insurgent, which had beer
i captured from the French in 1873 by
Ithe u. S. s. Constellation, sailed
from Hampton Roads on August 8
I 1900 for a cruise in the West In
dies Che oIcn &c baIIoyad to hou.