The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1926-07-31
GOVERNMENT VESSEL
RETURNS TO THIS
PORT AFTER TRIP TO
BAHAMAS

The tug Bayspring. under the
command of Capt. Thomas James.
who has seen 81 years of service
in the U. s. navy. returned yes
terday afternoon from the storm
swept island of Bimini, B. w. l.,
having gone to that British port
by orders from headquarters in
Washington to render every pos
sible assistance to the distressed
people there.
When seen by Citizen repre-
sentative this morning, Captain
James stated that the Bayspring
arrived off Bimini at 8 o'clock
Thursday morning, being the first
relief vessel to reach the port
from any point. He Immediate
ly interviewed Commissioner
George r. Sherman of Bimini. B.
w. l., and offered him the assist
ance of the ship, food and medi-
cal attention. It was found. how
ever, that no assistance was need
ed, from the fact that Bimini is
self-sustaining.
The report given Capt. James
by Commissioner Sherman stated
that the Methodist and Episcopal
churches were blown down, also
the steel wireless towers and four
residences, all without any casual
ties.
"The entire aspect of the
island" said Capt. James. "show-
ed view Of awful destruction.
The entire forest of coeoanut
palms and palmetto had been
blown down as completely as of
moved by some master blade
Capt. james complimented the
ingenuity of the wireless operator
at Binaini, who strung his wires
from cocoanut trees after the
steel towers had collapsed. and
was soon in communication with
the outside world again.
Capt. James and some of his
men took a look over Bimini. They
visited the Bimini Rod and Gun
Club hotel, and found that it was
only slightly injured, considering
the severity Of the storm. At this
hotel it was learned that at Gun
Key. 90 miles from Bimini, four
vessels had been lost, one Of them
la four -masted schooner with
cargo of liquor aboard worth
$4,000. There had been no re-
ports received from Nassau be-
+ fore the Bayspring left Binini.
In the Bimini harbor Captain
james found his old friend, Mr..
Pomeroy, of Miami, who with ssv.
eral guests aboard his yacht, the
Cinnirlar, had weathered the
storm and suffered much incon-
veniance and great anxity Il
was a touching scene when Capt
James went aboard the Cinnimar,
men aboard the Bayspring this
morning told Tbs Citizen man.
Mr.. Pomeroy threw his arms
about Capt. James neck and wept
like ? child. Fl had never ex-
Ipeete1 TO sec ycl aTain. and here
you have come 70 CIR relief tfr.
Pomeroy is quoted as saying to
Capt. James, while tears traced
from his eyes. The ClnniInar had
endured the terrific storm and
! had q very narrow escape from
total loss Of the vessel and All on
board. The yacht had suffered
severe damage.
Capt. James found a shortage
of ice In Riminf as a result Of
the storm He supplied the cinni-
mar with ice and furnished some
for the sick son Of Commissioners
{ Sherman.
In appreciation Of the Bayspring
!eorning to the assistance Of Binsui
people, the whole population Of
the island city invited Capt. JAMES
and his men to q reception. but
this demonstration was neees.
aarily declined, as the Bayspfiug
had D. that time been ordered -
proceed on her return voyage -
Key West.