The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-01-02

Northern Pacific in no danger" said Captain Connelly's message. Relatives of soldiers and crew need have no fear for their safety. The soldiers in all probability will be landed tomorrow or . whenever the winds shift to northward '*of westse
 < PRECAUTIONS TAKEN
 The naval authorities are taking every precaution, however, to guard the lives of the 24S0 soldiers aboard the trans port nearly 100 of whom are sick or wounded A breecnes buoy has been rgged from the shore to the vessel, ready for use at any time if it is deemed best to risk further injury to the stretcher cases by removing them from the craft, while IS destroyers and naval tugs are standing by to lend assistance in emer- gency
 The transport which struck the sand bar in a heavy fog at 3:30 o'clock this morning, was resting more easily tonight and was approaching even keel, al- though she had listed heavily earlier in the day, making progress difficult bout her slippery decks, over which high seas were washing She was consider able distance offshore when she went aground butnow has been driven to with in less than 300 yards of the beach.
 The wind was still blowing from the southwest tonight but had somewhat abated, although the sea continued rough sand there was a heavy foS off shore. Mariners predicted, however, that the wind would shift to the northwest before morning, making conditions favorable for transferring the troops to destroyers If this is done the men will be brought direct to New York.
 The Oak Island coast guard crew went alongside in a small boat this afternoon after two attempts to fire line across the transports bow had proved unsuc- cessful. From the line, which the coast guards carried with them, the brooches buoy was rigged.
 AMBULANCES ON HAND
 Unless the danger increases, however, Xthe buoy will not be put to use, put should the soldiers be landed on Fire Island a fleet of small craft will be utii- ized to transfer them to Bay Shore where the naval air station has been turned III to huge emergency hospital with medl- cal and food supplies rushed from New York by the Red Cross. A large number of ambulances are assembled there ready to transfer the sick and wounded lrofi the boats to the hospital.
 When he returned after taking the lire line aboard, the captain of the coast suai crew reported that the transport hau listed to such an extent that It was uiio ficult for him to keep his footing on tne decks. Notwithstanding this fact, ne said. soldiers who were able to be apou. lined the rails, cheering Justify any attempt to aid them.
 Breaking through the fog which tonight shrouded the Northern Pacific were the lights of destroyers and tugs, while on shore burned great flares, lighted py coast guards. These guards stood watch, prepared to put out in small boats if any : immediate danger menaced the transport I The thick weather and rain made op- servation difficult when the transport, which left Brest on Christmas Day, wen. across the sand bar between Point U Woods and Fire Island. The sea, rougn- < ening at dawn, prevented all effcrls 10 remove the troops.
 Coast guards declared tonight that hao inc vessel struck certain other bars Ill the vicinity, she would have been smasheo to pieces in relatively short time. Ihe shore is dotted with the hulks Of other ships which ended their career in the "Graye Yard of the Atlantic.
 If was near this point that the u B. ,. San Diego was sunk last summer
 A relief expedition of 15o medical or hcers. nurses and hospital orderlles left embarkation heAdquarters at Ho- hoken- this afternoon for Fire Island.
 Tonight Colonel Kerrick, superinten- dent of transportation, reported 10 Mator General Shanks. head of the enha arkation service, that there ap- nears to be no cause for undue alarm over the safety of the troops and there is absolutely no occasion for worry at inc present moment on the part or reia- tivaa or friends