New-York tribune., 1920-01-19
ponce Sunk
Crosses Ocean
By Own Steam
The Ophir, Which, Reaching
Gibraltar Afre During
War, Was Shot to Bottom.
Brings 9 Brides TO U. S.

The Ophir, a converted naval trans
port which made Gibraltar on fire early
last year and was sunk in the harbor
by the guns of the fort when shells
in her magazine began to explode
reached New York yesterday, a queer
looking cripple OF the seas. American
sailors raised the ship, replaced the
stern. which had been shot off by the
fort, and brought her across the ocean
with nine war brides and the bodies of
fourteen sailors who died while sta
toned at Gibraltar.
The girls, English and Spanish. we're
married by men of the salvage party
while at work retrieving the Ophir.
There was tenth bride, but she de-
serted the ship after having been
brought aboard by master rat-arms.
She had spent something like $500 sent
by her husband, fireman, on two oc-
casions to pay her passage, and was
taken aboard the Ophir wisl q truck
load of household effects. The hus-
band will get these when the ship
docks, but no bride
Caught Fire at Sea
The Ophir, formerly in the Dutch
Indies trade, was one of the larger
neutral passenger ships taken over by
the United States to ease the trans
port situation during TIE war Just
after the armistice was signed the ship
caught fire at sea. Two of the ere W
were burned to death in the hold The
remainder managed to work the ship
TO Gibraltar, when she was so nearly a
furnace that the men at last took to
the boats
Almost at once the shells for the
anti-submarine guns began exploding
Shell fragments were flying all over
Gibraltar The inhabitants fed to the
back country and the guns of the
fortress in the Rock opened on the
flaming hulk, but because of the dense
volume of smoke, veritable submarine
screen. only one shot hit. That, how
ever, tore off the Ophir's stern, and
the vessel went to the bottom.
The British authorities offered the
government $500 900 for the wreck. but
the American survey officers estimated
that it was possible to float her and
save 81 100000.
Captain Connley, who brought the
Ophir to New York yesterday, volun-
teered for the salvage job. He had
but one object to get the vessel on
the surface and make her sufficiently
seaworthy for the voyage to America
NO attempt was made to refit the
burnedout hull beyond the engine
room, and the Ophir arrived here still
wreck.
One Bride Deserts
When the vessel was ready for the
hazardous winter voyage home the
brides OF the men volunteered to come
with them; that is, all except the fire
man $ wife, who deserted The fireman
had been ordered home before the
Ophir sailed. His bride insisted on
hrst class passage to America The
/ check for 500, which he sent in care
OF the American Consul at Gibraltar.
was not sufficient to cover this. but she
took the check from the consul and
spent the proceeds. When the girl
falled to appear in America the waiting
hreman cabled an inquiry to the con-
sui and then sent another check. this
time for $3.50. The bride apparently
was not anxious to come to America
after all and after spending most of
TINS cabled for more.
The consul then notified Canta;,
Connley, and the ship commander sent
master at arms ashore with orders tn
pac" the girls and her effects in naval
l,i pasc truck and bring them abroad
ne master at arms obeyed orders. load
ing the girl on top of her baggage and
driving through the streets Of Gibral-
,ar, much to the amusement Of the in
habltants. The girl remained with the
other brides aboard ship for a day anc
'hen disappeared. probably dropping
INTO small boat alongside at niQht.