The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-09-10

lew feet from tie others, nut IL
was too late. The Chnuncey
swung up against the Young,
and the Noung's propeller, la
turn, ripped open her slide and
lifted her high upon the rocks.
The Nicholas, Woodbury. aud Ful,
Ter rushed up behind within few
seconds Tho T. r. Leo fought
against the running waves but her
warning also came too late and she.
too. piled up.
The rapid disappearance Of lights
warned n other destroycrs OF the
squadron who were following close
behind. They escaped, because OF
the proximity Of tho shore. however,
they were unable 20 do much to help
the others, They stood OF ana pick
cd up boats and RATS which the goha
and officers managed 10 cut free
from the wrcckage
Tho Young was the death trap OF
the flock With her side and bottom
ripped open, she keeled over on her
side IN minute and 30 seconds. She
lay bottom up an Il is believed 20
or more men were caught helpless
In compartment on the lower side
under the water, This was reported
hy member Of her crew who
escaped
Gohs and Officers on tho
Chnuncey, only 10 feet away.
kept their heads. and despite
their own peril. threw life lines
over the Young aud saved many
members Of her crew who other.
wise were sure 10 have drowned
or been smashed 10 death
against the rocks.
The how Of the Delphi was piled
high IN tho crash. Her stern was
washed around parallel TO II hugo
rock against which she hammered
methodlcally from minute 10 minute
as each wave crashed.
Watching their chance each time
the swell came In, Fohg lined tlrs
rail and jumped harcfontcd 20 tho
slippery rock Many lost their hold
but were caught by those who had
made the leap In sanity and hauled
up above the waters edge. Conroy
was lost when he attempted TO
mako the leap.
The Delphi broke in two shortly
aiterward The Nicholas was on a
reef further out and thru the night
tho crew and officers were forced
10 remain aboard. watching the
black water boil oyvr the rocks
about the vessel. which threatened
to break up any moment.
on account OF the darkness and
rocks neither lifeboau nor RATS
could be launched with safety It
was not until sunday afternoon.
whsn a life line was strung from
tho beach. that the men were taken
or.
S.umhn Carter was one Of the
numerous heroes OF the disas.
ter. He succeeded In lowering
rain and plotting Il thru the
trcachNrous surf IS times, every
time bringing n group Of his
shipmates ashore.
Commander Edward Watson OF
the squadron was a nervous wreck
but stuck TO his command thuout
and directed tho rescue work, lie
finally returned with the Last sur.
vGyora aboard q hpsciai train. Ills
fellow officers reported he was near
a state Of collapse and refused
anyone permission 10 see him or
the captains OF any Of the other
roatswain'a Mate Peterson Of tho
Young was one Of tho outstanding
figures In the tragedy 81 the
risk OF his life be Ieaped in the
tumbling sea and swan 80 yards
thru the rocks to the Chauncey
and carried n life line.
Over this line 20 Of the
Young's crew wcrc led. hand
over hand. from the upturned
side Of the vessel 10 safety.
Before Pstcraon's heroic act the
men clinRtnE TO the overturned de-
stroyer chcered each other in the
face Of death. for they all expected
20 20 down any minute. The sur.
yIyors began reaching the jagged
rocks which form the bluff Of the
shore line half an hour after the
Delphi struck. but the last man was
not removed until nearly is hours
afterward
The body Of Chief Flreman's Mate
Conroy WIS found on the beach a
quarter mite from the place where
he sank after he failed TO make the
leap to the rock.
LOS ANGELES. Sept. To-
Coxswain r. BronsId Of the
Chaunccy today told the first
eyewitness story Of how seven
naval destroyers piled up on the
rocks Of Point Arguello. He said:
No one saw the lights at the point.
The fog was as thick as pea soup
and the air was 80 full Of messages
about fretghter going on the rocks
off San Miguel island. few miles
away, that we were unable TO pick
up radio bearings which we usually
use in fog.
The first thing we knew the
Delphi was on the rocks. We heard
her strike with a terrible grating.