The Helena independent., 1889-04-14
The Ioss of Abe sbips.

APIA, Samoa, March 30, per steamer Al
ameda TO San Francisco, April ls-The
little group of Samoan or Navigator is-
lands, which few months ago attracted
the attention Of the civilized world by the
fierce civil combat between two factions,
and the consequent possibility OF serious
complications between the United States
and Germany, have been visited by q dis
aster mere appalling than all the wars ever
waged here. The United States and Ger
many have lost nerly 1900 lives and SO, 900,
900 worth Of property. The most violent
and d estructiye hurricane ever known In
the South Pacific passed over the islands
March IL and IL and as result the fleet Of
six warships and ten other vessels were
ground to atoms on the coral reef In the
harbor or thrown ON the beach In front Of
Apia. The United Stgtes frigate Benton.
the flagship OF the Pacific squadron, lies
within n stones throw Of the American
consulate, total wreck. The great
hull OF the magnificent vessel
which steamed into the harbor few weeks
ago rests on the bottom and Is fast going 10
pieces. The United States steamer Van
dalla Is buried out OF sight between the
Trenton and the shore Her shattered
water 10 mark the spot where the gallant
vessel struck and lay for twelve hours be-
fore the awful torrent OF water swept four
officers and thirty-nine men from her deck
and rigging. The United States steamer
Nipsic lay for several days alongside the
Vandalia, with her bow high on the beach
and within five feet OF the waters edge.
The vessel, though badly damaged. was
hauled of few days after the storm, and
IN tha anlN U shfn annat In tha harhnr
The three American men-of war were
swept ashore almost at the same spot.
The force OF the storm was never equalled
In this part OF the world before. The
barometer had been falling steadily for
several days previous, and the wind com
menced TO blow Friday, March lb and coL-
tinued until Sunday morning. The rain
fell In torrents the whole time, and great
cloud Of sand swept over the land. Hun.
watched the awful spectacle In the harbOr.
The vessels all had full head OF steam
aud three or four anchors out, yards and
topmasts were down. and every precAution
was taken 10 insure the safety VI the ships,
but the winds constantly shifted from
northeast 10 northwest and their force was
80 great that the vessels dragged their
anchors, drifting from one side 70 another
and coming into collision several times.
rents Of water rushed down the hatchwa
and put out the fires. Persons on the shore
were powerless 10 render aid. Hundreds
stood on the shore In the binding storm
watching the great vessels pitch
about and drift on to destruction.
The sea broke upon the shore, rushing
up above high water mark. Many persons
were injured by floating wreckage aud
great clouds Of sand filled the air and cut
the skin like knife. The natives acted
nobly, wading far out into the surf where
no white man could have lived and many a
life was saved through their efforts. The
storm ragged furiously for nearly two days
and when II finally abated the scene OF de
structlOn ON the shore was frightful.
Houses were unroOfed and blown down
and trees uprooted and thrown about In
such manner that the streets were In
many places completely blocked.
THE STORM BEGINS.
Out OF seventeen vessels which had been
m00red In the harb0r, only two small
scho0ners stayed afloat and these were
badly damaged. Most Of the warships
were anchored In the harb0r and were nee