The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-04-17
Further Details.

Further particulars Of the disastrous storm
at Apia, Samoa, have just been received.
The hurricane burst upon the harbor sud-
denly.
The German man .of-war Ebcr was the first
vessel to drag her anchor. She became un-
manageable and was driven helplsssly on the
reef which runs around the harbor. She
struck broadside on, at O'Clock in the morn
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 q
gigantic wave and cast on her beam ends on
the reef.
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
clung to tho rigging until the masts fell. or
these two gained the shore safely. The Cap
tain of the Adler and several other officers
| were saved.
In the meantime the United States war
ship Nipsic had been dragging her anchors
and drifting toward the shore. The Captain,
however, managed to keep control and ran
! her on a saudbank.
Boats were Immediately lowered, and the
WnOIe company were SuFSu, Will oao 1ASeP-
ton of six men, who were drowned by the
| capsizing of boat.
The United States vessel Vaudalia was
| carried before the gale right upon the reef.
She struck with terrible shock, and the
Captain was hurled against Gatling gun
and stunned.
Before he could recover great sea swept
! tho deck and washed him away. The vessel
sank City yards from the Nipsic. Several OF
Il
and drowned. Others p.rished while max
| ing desperate efforts to swim to the shore.
Some remained for hours clinging to tho
, rigging, but heavy waves dashed increasingly
over them, and one by one they were swept
| away.
By this time night had set in. Many ma.
tives and Europeans had gathered on the
shore, ard all were anxious to render assist.
ance to the wrecked vessels and their unfor-
tunate crews, but, darkness having fallen on
the scene, they were wholly unable to be OF
service.
Soon after the Vandalia had sunk, the
American warship Trenton broke from her
anchorage and was driven upon the wreck
of The Vaudula, whence she Griftcd to the
shore. The bottom OF the Trenton was com.
pletely stove and her hold was half full OF
water.
|
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 toleraoly
favorable position.
The following is record OF the officers ana
men lost:
Eber-The Captain and all tbs other officers
except one, and seventy.six men. g,
Vandalia-The Captain, four officers anu
| forty men.
! Nlpslc-Seven men.
Adler Altogether fifteen persons.
Mataafa sent a number Of mon, who rem
dered splendid aid in trying to float the
Olga.
The Vandalia lost four officers namely
Captain Schoonmaker, Lisutenant Sutton
Paymaster Arms, Pay Clerk Roach:
A dispatch from Admiral Kimberley II
command of the squadron says:
"There was hurricane at Apia. Every
vessel in the harbor is on shore. except the
English man-of-war Calliop,, which got to
sea. The Trenton and Vandalia are total
lossss. Tho Nipsic is beached, and her ruddel
gone. She may be saved but the chances
| ora AGAINST il. u