The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-03-30
WARSHIPSSUNk
Six Men-Of-War Lost
at Samoa.
Driven On a Reef by a Ter
rible Storm.
German and American Squadrons
Removed from Existence.
The Trenton. yandalia and Nipsic Go
Dawn with Four Onscers and For
ty-sfx Men The Germans Lose the
Adler, Olga and Eber. with Nine
ofiicers and Eishty-seven Men.

LONDON. March 2e.--Adyices have been
received from samoa 10 the effect that in
terrific hurricane three American vessels
and three German men-of-war were
wrecked and many persons drowned.
AUCKLAND. March ae.-Digps.ches from
samoa state that the American nien-of-
war Trenton, Eandalia and Nipsie and the
German men-oi-war Adler. Olga and Eber
were driven on reef during a violent
storm and totally wrecked.
OF TIE American crews foar officers and
81 men were drowned, and OF the German
crews nine officers and ss men lost their
lives
WASHINGTON, March 29.-An Associated
Press reporter took the dispatch regarding
the supposed wreck OF three American
men-oi-war 10 Secretary Tracy at his hotel
at EN- early hour this morniug. The scere-
tary sent down word that he had no al
vices whatever in regard TO the matter.
THE OFFICERS.
NEW YoAK, March 2e.-- Commander
Dennis W. Mullan. commander of the Nip
SIC, was ordered to that duty October L.
Iss7. He entered the service in December.
1850, was prometed to ensign in October,
1853. to master In October, isss. to lieuten-
ant In February, 1867, lieutenant-com-
Iaandcr in March, 1865. and 10 his present
grade In July, 1852 This was his first com
mand in the new grade, as, owing to some
trouble with the navy department, he was
kept OF duty for four years Commander
Aullan, while not regarded as one of the
brilliant men OF the navy. was good
fighting officer. He was q native of Massa-
chusetts and of Irish parentage.
The executive officer of the Nipsle, in
the absence of Lieut.. Hawley, was Richard
g. Davenport. His reputation as first
class officer in every respect was youched
for by all navy people here. He was son
OF the late Capt Davenport, who was one
of the most distinguished naval officers of
the late war, and who commanded the
Congress during the battle OF Mobile bay.
The other officers attached TO the Nipsic
were Lieut. John r. fisherman of New York.
Ensign w. p. White, John l.. Purcell, Har-
~ Field. Harry Jones, passed, Assistant
Surgeon John Corwine. Chief Engineer
John Hall, passed.
THE AMERICAN SHIPS.
The complement of the Sipeic was LIS
marines and biaejaekeis. although some
OF her shsttime men were sSas home
from Semoa when the Adams left for San
Francisco In January last The Nipsic was
wooden vessel and built In 1878. After
two cruises she was rebuilt at the
nayy-yard at Washington in 1877,
she was bark,rigged, is5 feet long and IS
feet beam. b : displacement was 1875
tons and indicated speed 10 knots per hour.
Her main battery consisted Of one is-ineh
muzzle- loading rife, four nine inch smooth
bores, one 6o4pound breech-loading ride
converted Parrot, which was located on
the forecastie. In the secondary bsttery
were one three-ineh rified howitzer. one l2-
pounder and one short Gatling qua. In
addition 70 these there were 60 Hotchkiss
rifles OF the latest improved pattern in her
armory, besides the usual number OF pis-
tois and side arms allowed by regulation
for vessels OF the Elpsics class.
The Trenton and vandalia were longer
than the Nipsic. The Trenton was q ship
rfgged wooden cruiser of 10 guns and OF
500 tons displacement.
The Nsndaiia was also a bark-rigged
wooden cruiser OF 800 tons, with battery
as known.
THE GERMAN SHIPS
The olga was the most formidable of the
German vessels at Apia. She was an ar
mored aud unprotected single-decked
cruiser OF 800 tons displacement. and was
o1l1t ta teo'. fltl pfiuclpAi Dhttety CON
sisted of eight ssx-inch krapp
rifles and a number of Hotchkiss
revolving cannon. Ii is thought
az the navy department that she carried
about half dozen forpedoes, which are
similar 10 whitehead torpedoes in that
they are projected from tubes beneath the
water line. The speed OF the Olga was
somewhat superior 10 the Fsndalia. her
maximum speed having been IL knots.
The Germans also had In Samoan waters
the Adler and Eber, which we're not as
large or as strong as the Olga, the Adler
carrying four and the Eber three krupp
rifles
The strength OF the German fleet lay in
lis possession OF torpedoec.