Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-04-04
THE SAMOA STORM.
Suddenness Of the Disastrous Cy-
clone at Apia.
HURLED UPON THE DEADLY REEF.
American Losses Amount to Fifty-one-
German Losses Much Heavier-Oueen
Victoria Expresses Sympathy
Mataafa's Noble Work.

LONDON, April 1.-According to the lat
est particulars of the disastrous storm at
Apia, which have just been received, the
storm burst upon the harbor suddenly.
The German man-of-war Eber was the
first vessel to drag her anchor. She be-
came unmanageable and was driven help
lessly on the reef which runs around the
harbor. She struck broadside on at six
O'Clock in the morning. The shock caused
her to lurch and to stagger back, and she
sank in moment in deep water. Most of
her men were under matches and scarcely
a soul Of them escaped.
The German war ship Adler was the
next to succumb. She was lifted bodily
by gigantic wave and cast on her beam
ends on the reefs. A terrible struggle for
life ensued among the officers and sailors
aboard. Many plunged into the raging
surf and struck out, some reaching the
shore in safety. Others chung to the rig
ging until the masts fell. OF those in the
rigging only two gained the shore. The
captain of the Adler and several other
officers wee saved.
Meantime the United States steamship
Nipsic had been dragging her anchors and
drifting toward the shore. The captain,
ran her on sand bank. Boats were i'm
mediately lowered and the whole company
saved with the exception of six men. These
were drowned by the capsizing of boat
The United States steamship Vandalia
was carried before the gale right upon the
reef She struck with terrible shock,
hurting the captain against a Gatling
gun and he fell stunned. Before he could
L..
washed him and others away into the sea.
The vessel sank fifty yards from the Nip.
sic and several of the officers and men
went down with her. Others persisted
while making desperate efforts to swim to
the shore. Some of the ships company
tried to save themselves by clinging to the
rigging, but heavy and swift running
waves dashed over them and one by one
they were swept away.
By this time night had set in. Many
natives and Europeans had gathered on
the shore, all anxious to render assistance
to the unfortunate crews, but owing to the
darkness they were wholly unable to be
of service.
Soon after the Vandalia had sunk the
American war ship Trenton broke from
her anchorage and was driven upon the
wreck of the Vandalia, whence she drifted
to the shore. The bottom of the Trenton
was completely stove and her hold was
half full of water.
As morning broke, the German man-of
war Olga, which had hitherto withstood
the gale, although much battered by the
heavy seas that constantly broke upon
her, became unmanageable and was driven
upon the beach, where she lay in toler-
ably favorable position.
The following is record of the officers
and men lost: Eber-The captain and all
other officers except one, and seventy six
men. Vandalia-The captain, four officers
and forty men. Nipsic-Seven men. Adj
ler-Altogether fifteen persons. Mataafa
sent number of his men to the assist
ance of the wrecked ships. They rem
dered splendid aid in trying to float the
Olga.
THE AMERICAN LOSSES.
WASHINGTON, March 3l.-The following
cable message dated yesterday has been
received at the Navy Department:
Secretary Of Macy, Washington:
Hurricane at Apia, March Is. Every vessel
in harbor on shore except English man-of-war
Calliope, which got to sea-
Trenton and Vandala total losses. Nipsic
beached; rudder gone, may be saved Chances
against it. Win send her to Auckland if pos
sIble.
Vandalia lost four officers and thirty-nine
men as follows: Captain Schoonmaker, Pay
master Arms, Lieutenant Sutton, Pay Clerk
Roach, Henry Baker, W. Brisbane, William
Brown, Quartermaster Caspen, NJ. Cragin, B.
C. Davis. Thomas G. Downey, NJ. Ericsson, s.
C. Gehring, -Adolph Goldner, George German, q.
z Green, Joseph Griffin, E. NJ. Hammeur, John
Hanchett, .HHawkins ". Howat Frank Jones,
George Jordon. NJ. b. Joseph, John Kelley:
Thomas Kelley, n. KinselIa, c. p. Kratzor,
Charles Kraus, FIR Lessman- George Merrage.
Aylmer Montgomery, Thomas Riley, h P.
Staiman, C. C. Stanford, John Sims,
G. b. Wells, John Milford, Henry
Wixted, Ankow, Ankepp. Pendang. Techor.
The Nipsic lost seven men: George w. Callen,
Joseph Heap, David Kelleher William Wat
son, John GILL Thomas johnson. Henry Pout-
sell. All saved from the Trenton Trenton and
Vandalia crews ashore. Nipsic's on board All
stores possible saved.
German ships Adler and Eber total loss.
Olga beached; may be saved German losses,
ninety-six-
Important TO send 800 men home at once
Shall charter steamers: can charter in Auck-