, 1889-04-21
Admiral KimberIy,s Report.

WAsHINGroN, April 20 -This morn
ing's mail of the navy department brought
two letters from Admiral Kimberly refer
ing to the wrecking of the American feet
at Apia. The first letter, dated Apia,
March 10, reads:
".Secretary of The Nary SIR: | have
to commend to the government of the
United States the very great assistance
we received in saving the public property
from our wrecked vessels at this place
from Mataafa Mallctoa, who without re.
quest on my part called on me personally,
sent some hundreds OF his men to the
assistance of oar people, and IN saving
stores and materials from the wrecked
vessels. Also. when the NIpsic and Van
dalia went ON shore the natives risked
their lives to gave those of our men who
cndeayUred TO reach shore by swimming,
aud twn ut them lost their lives IN these
ATTEMPTS II some recognition OF these
services could be made, [ think It would
he appreciated very highly by the Same
ans. particularly as they have so gener.
ouslv given their services, and in two
cases their lives To befriend rs
Under date Apia, March 2l, Kimberly
writes: "fhe Nipsic was got off last
night and is alnat without the rudder or
rudder post. Her crew is engaged trying
to yet up her chains. The Trenton is
sunk in water coming over the port side
of the gun deck at high water. ! think
her back is broken. She might possibly
be freed IRON water if We had proper ap-
plianccs, powerful steam pumps etc. She
has no rudder, rudter post or propeller;
lies with the deck slightly inclined to sea-
ward and lies along side of the wreck of
the Vandaiia which is shorewurd Of her.
The latter vessel Is a total wreck broken
in two AT high THE the water rises over
her top gallant forecastle, with only the
securing moorings for the Nipsic and in
wreckiug the Trenton and Sandaiia A
good deal of what we saved might be
sold at public auction to save expenses OF
storing and Transportation Our sick
perhaps be well to send a wrecking vessel
here later in the season tn save the Tren
tons heavy guns ammunition, etc.
The following points OF interest are
taken from the admiral's report: Kim
berry says indications of bad weather APP
peared during the forenoon Of Friday.
March Is, and at | O'Clock he commenced
preparations to meet the gale by sending
down lower yards, housing topmasts.
lighting fires and raising steam. He re-
fers to the TACT that most OF the water came
into the flagship through the hawse pipes
as related in former press reports. The ad
miral says all efforts to prevent this failed
owing to the force OF the waves driv-
ing out everything used to stop them.
During the entire time Capt. Farquhar
showed great care and good judgment in
handling the ship through the terrific
gale and never left the bridge. He was
ably seconded by his executive and navi-
eating officers, who did all in their power
to save the ship. In fact, so far as L
could observe, the officers behaved ex'
tremely well under the trying circum
stances, and performed their duties cheer
fully, effectively and as well as could be
desired. This disaster | classify among
the incidents and accidents inseparable
from the prosecution of duty. Its mag
nitude, however, gives it a distinguishing
feature, which fortunately the service is
rarely compelled to witness. Cant.
Farauhar has demanded n court of in
quiry. No disinterested officers are
available here. |, therefore, respectfully
refer the entire matter to the department
and if further investigation be deemed
necessary, / should be pleased to have a
court of inquiry ordered. Very respect
fully, your obedient servant,
i. A. KIMBERLY,
Rear Admiral United States Navy. Com
manding United States Naval Forces
-, Doo,Go Stat;op