Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-01-03
1HE NORTHERN
 PACIFIC STILL IS FOUNDERFD
Removal of Troops to Fire Island Commenced, Tho Message Says Ship Safe.

New York, Jan. 2.-Battling today. against an angry sea which capsized three of their boats, coast guards from many stations, aided by crews from nearly twenty naval craft, had by nightfall taken safely to shore IF navy nurses and 237 of the 2,48O homeward bound soldiers on the United States transport Northern Pa- clfic, hard aground for two days on ; sand bar near Fire Island Light. When many barrels of oil spread on the waves had failed to make the water surrounding the vessel meas ureably calmer, the rescue work was halted until morning. Remaining aboard the Northern Pacific are most of the sick and wounded. Naval of- ! ficers deemed it too hazardous to at- tempt to remove the "stretcher cases"
 The vessel is in no danger, accord ing to wireless message from her commander, Captain Connolly, receiv- ed tonight by the Associated Press. Northern Pacific resting easily; weather conditions favoring," read Captain Connelly's message. Dis embarked 237 army passengers, some these ambulant wounded, and also IT 1 navy nurses, using life guard boats and brooches buoy. Have requested services of more lifeboats for tomor- row. Ship is in no danger. Expect to disembark many more troops to- morrow. Salvage operators will make attempt to float ship high tide tomorrow"
 Another message received tonight by Vice-Admiral Gleaves at Embarka- tion headquarters at Hoboken, stated that the Northern Pacific had enough boats of all classes to land passengers if the sea calms down. which the message predicted would happen to- morrow. Life savers stopped work at 5:30 D. m.
 Continuous rain, fog and heavy pounding by the waves have failed to lower the spirits of those aboard the transport, which is now listing hard to port. The ships band played lively airs while the work of rescue was being carried on, and tonight the men were clamoring for another en- tertainment such as was staged last evening aboard ship, when private Edward Schallensberger. of Altoona, Pa.. attached to the 9th Trench Nor tar Battery. was wildly applauded as he led a quartet in singing "Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep."
 Debarkation was begun shortly after noon when an attempt earlier in the day to drag the Northern Pa- "ific from her bed of sand had failed. During the debarkation process, a launch from the cruiser Columbia was dashed to rieces aoainst the stern of the transport and the surf boat used to trprsfer men from the steamer to the shore was twice capsized. Sol- d'ers, sailors and coastouards were hurled into the sea, but all were saved.
 New York. Jan. 2.-The constant pounding of the seas against tho Am erican transnort Northern Pacific. stranded on Fire Island since 3:3o a. m. Wednesdy. had driven the shin higher on to the beach this forenoon. swinging her bow SD that it is on- ly 250 yards from the shore.
 Waves heavier than those which wedged her, tightly into the sandbar yesterday were breaking over the transport. and the wind was stil! blowing unfavorably from the south west
 So long as these conditions prevail ed, navy officials here said no at- tempt could be made either to put ashore or to transfer to other vessels the 5000 troops. civilians and navy crew who sailed on the transport from France on Christmas Day.
 Twelve cruisers and destrovers and other rescue ships maintained virgil throughout the night in semi-eircle mile outside the bar. their blinker lights flashing necessarily. At dawn ! they prepared for day of maneuver- ing about the stranded vessel Fresh coast guard crews rep.aced the ones which spent the night near the breech- ! es buoy which would not be used ana are in constant senaphore communi- cation with the transport.
 At a. m. opinion was expressed that there was little prospect that the troops could be removed until late in the day The vessel had work ca so Tar aSHOTe that there was QOuTv as to whether she could be floateN even with the sea calm.
 Twenty Red Cross nurses with food and supplies landed on Fire Island today ready to care for any troops who might be brought ashore.
 The United States transport North ern Pacific, which grounded, on sand bar off Fire Island yesterday, was resting easily at dawn today, the wind having died down during the night and the sea becoming much calmer. Captain Connolly. commanding, ,s<s hopeful of removig the 2,450 soldiers and nearly 1,700 of whom are sick and I Continued on page five)