Imperial Valley press., 1923-09-10
CHASTITY CRASH
MOST UNUSUAL
IN j. s. ANNALS
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of the crew. One was knocked in
sensible and carried away on a
monster comber which raked the
vessel for and aft.
Another, Fireman Pierson, blind
ed by oil, went insane. Screaming
and fighting, he tore himself away
from his mates who attempted to
hold him down, and leaped to his
deaht in the surf.
A third member of the crew lost
his grip on life and was washed
overheard.
Other Boats Pile UP
After the Delphy struck the rocks
it was not more than an instant
until the Young rammed up behind
her and swung over against her
side. The Delphy's propeller still
racing, caught the Young in the boy
and, aided by big swell, kicked
her over. Then the Chauncey pill
ed up.
The commander of the Chauncey
had just flashed q warning. He
ordered full speed astern when he
was coming down n few feet from
the Others, but it was too late. The
Chauncey swung up against the
Young and the Young's propeller
in turn ripped open her side and
lifted her high upon the rocks. The
Nichols, Woodbury. and Fuller rush
ed up behind within q few seconds.
The S. P. Lee fought against the
running waves but her warning
also came too late and she, too,
piled up.
The rapid disappearance of lights
warned eleven other destrOyers of
the squadron who were following
close behind. They escaped. Be
cause of the proximity of the shore,
however, they were unable to do
much to help the others. They
stood off and picked up boats and
RATS which the gobs and officers
managed to cut free from the wreck
age.
The Young was the death trap of
the fleet. She lay bottom up and
it is believed 20 or more men were
caught helpless in compartment
on the lower side under the water.
This was reported by member of
her crew who escaped.
Gobs and Officers on the Chaucey,
only 10 feet away, kept their heads
and despite their own peril threw
life lines over the Young and saved
many members of her crew who
otherwise were sure to have drown
ed or been smashed to death against
the rocks.
Twenty two dead or missing is
the toll of the destroyer disaster of
Saturday night, according to unof-
ficial navy advices.
Known dead: Fireman r. A. Con-
roy, body recovered.
Missing: Firemen Overshiner, f.
Grady, II. w. Skipper, Joseph Sill
max, VanShaak, John Young, Wade
II. Morris, b. f. Rogers, Pearson,
Zawerzewski and Kirk; Seamen
Martin, Kirby and Duncan; Cabin
Steward Enrique Torres, Oh lie f
Pharmacist Buchanan, .Engineman
Harrison, Radio Operator Reddock,
Coxswain Salzar Engieemao Taylor
and Steward Daldida.
All except three were aboard the
Young.
Twenty eight are in hospitals suf
fering from serious injuries.
All those listed as missing are
believed to be lost.
The bow of the Delphy was piled
high in the crash. Her stern was
washed aroung parallel to huge
rock against which she hammered
methodically from minute to
minute as each wave crashed.
Watching their chance each time
the swell came in gobs lined the
rail and jumped barefooted to the
slippery rock. Many lost their hold
but were caught by those who had
made the leap in safety and hauled
up above the waters edge.
Conroy was lost when he at
tempted to make the leap.
The Delphy broke in two shortly
afterward. The Nicholas was on a
reef out further and through the
night the crew and officers were
forced to remain aboard watching
the black. water boil over the rocks
about the vessel which threatened
to break up any moment. 1t was
not until Sunday afternoon when
life line was strung from the
beach that the men were taken off.
Seaman Carter Hero
Seaman Carter was one of the
numerous heroes Of the disaster. He