The sun., 1919-01-05
Navy Praised for Splendid
Work Rescuing Northern
Pacific's Wounded.
BIG LINER CAN BE SAVED
With Steam Up and Wrecking
Tugs Ready to Aid High
Tide Is Awaited.

after noon yesterday. The great ship
lay with a pitiful list in the sands Of
Fire Island, her position having
changed considerably during Friday
night when the high tide battered and
buffeted against her port side as 1t lay
% seaward. 1t dug the sand from
under her port, listing her to the
weather.
This shift, however, Is considered in
me ships favor by many Of the old
mariners along the beach. They con-
tend II indicates that the hull Is not
held as fast as 1t was at first believed.
and consequently the ship win be
carrier Of salvage. 1t seems a simple
matter, as these practical old seafarers
describe 1t. to save the ship. They
would simply throw out several kedge
anchors with strong cables and wind
the strands around the ships winch.
and at the same time have wrecking
tugs help her drag herself out, prefer
ably by tho stern, for the water is
Deeper there.
In assurance that the ship can be
dragged OF without damage TO her
these shippers of quarter Of a cen
tury or more cite other ships along the
Atlantic coast that have been dragged
of in the same manner from similar
predicaments.
An attempt to dislodge the Northern
Pacific from the bed she has made for
herself will be made as soon as the
weather permits. Wrecking tugs are
lying about now with lines-great steel
cab!es-to her. Although the weather
Is cold and disagreeable, making work
difficult, and the wind is stiff. II a storm
Is not blown in from the northeast or
the east during the night the work will
start to-day to extrioate the vessel.
Final Rescue Work Besins.
As the great ship lay with a thin man
tie Of snow upon her upper deck cabins
and it was getting light the rescue OF
.he final zoo, the more severely wounded.
was begun. During the night most OF
the twenty-odd ships that had been
standing by had made off. seemingly de-
serting the big ship. while she leaned
TO the sea that was tearing at her hull
hHu DEedhiHs oNcf H.
The melancholy gray of the morning
fog wrapped her fast. But In a few mo-
ments petals OF color panelled the sky
and the effulgence OF the sun. as II miles
of curtains were being drawn noiselessly
aside, broke through. casting creamy sdl-
yer upon the crest OF the breakers az
they broke over the ship and raced shore
ward in seething swells. Objects far of
assumed shape where a moment before
there was nothing.
As the miot was dispelled a submarine
chaser slid cautiously into the trough OF
the sea and under the stern She came
alongside and made fast. Immediately
q wounded man swathed In blankets and
etrapped In a wire basket was lowered
over the side. He was received tenderly
aboard the chaser and carried into the
cabin others followed. and soon the
speedy little craft, dwarfed beside the
great liner. had her complement OF in
.ured.
Slowly she backed out into tho heavy
sea. encountering the high breakers that
washed her and set her scuppers run
ming Plunging through she described an
ar and made of to the hospital ship
soace. lying a mile or more or shore
Repeatedly these trips were made by the
chasers. and at l o'clock wigwag signals
conveyed the Information that all OF the
wounded had been taken of.
Not . Man Lost or Hurt.
Not a man had been lost not one in
ilred And in only few cases had any
soldier been drenched. since the brooches
rloy and tho small boats operating To
shore were abandoned the day after the
transport went aground. Officers and
men alike OF the navy had nothing but
the highest praise for the uncomplaintne
rort!tude of the wounded and others
whom they had taken of. But the army
equally sincere and gracious. expressed
the greatest admiration for the navy for
sfectlng the greatest record OF transfer
Without the loss of a single life. that has
been known In marine history ass
soldiers and II Red Cross nurses
After all OF the wounded taken of yes
:erday had been made comfortable
aboard the Solace she stood out to sea q,
9a0 o'clock. writing finis in tho churn
OF her wake to the United States Navy'l
achievement-
transport began In earnest The wreck
ing tugs that had been standing by
holding lines on her began moving In
closer, shortening their lines and draw
Ing them taut. Two OF the powerful
vessels dragged at the ship. but did
not bulge her. 1t Is believed that the
Ines were being tested. A few minutes
'ater the crew of the bar climbing shil
,egan TO pile over her side and all were
-aken OF except $50 men. a skeleton
crew to assist the ship out OF her berth
Two other tugs moved closer In and
caught lines upon the port side.
Liners steam Up for Escape.
Tho transport had a good head OF
Seam up and all appeared to be making
ready to pull with the food tide tina,
vas due In the night. Then the boats
iay to. their lights winking In the dark
nefs and apparently there was great
activity aboard. judging by the moving
lights and signals.
A telephone cable had been laid
earlier from the island to the transport
establishing direct connection with the
port OF embarkation headquarters. a,
Hohoken, guard OF soldiers was re-
aimed and n number OF medical officers
ma the Sand Canteen" OF the Red
SGoss continues. Great bonfires blazed
ConftH1ed On SfrfA Rooo.