The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-04-06
THE SAMOAN DISASTER.
THE EBER AND ADLER THE FIRST
VESSELS SUNK.
THE VANDALIA SUNK AND TRENTON s
HULL BROKEN.
FIFTY AMERICANS AND AINe7y-FIVe GER
MANS LOST,

LONDON, March 31-Furtber particu
lars of the disastrous storm at Apia have
Just been received. The hurricane burst
upon the harbor suddenly. The German
mau-of- war Eber was the first vessel to
drag her anchor. She became unmauage
able and was driven helplessly on the
reef which runs around the barbor. She
struck, broadside on, at six o'clock in the
morning. The shock caused her to iurch
and to stagger back, and she sank in u
moment III deep water. Most of her men
were under matches and scarcely soul
of them escaped
The German war ship Adler was the
next to succumb. She was lifted bodily
by a gigantic wave and cast on her beam
enus 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 chung to the rig
giug until the masts fell. Of those in the
rigging only two gained the shore. The
captain of the Adler and several other
officers were saved.
Meantime the United States steamer
Nipsic had been dragging her anchors
and drifting toward the shore. The cap
tain, however, managed to keep contrCi
and ran her on a sand bank. Boats were
Immediately lowered and the whole com
pany were saved with the exception of
six men. THESE were drowned By the
| capsIZing of IA boat.
The United States steamer Vandalia
was carried before the storm right upon
| the reef. Sue struck with a terrible
shock, hurling Captain Schoonmaker
against Gatllng gun and he fell stunned
| Before he could recover great wave
swept the deck and he was washed away
| with others into the sea. The vessel
sank 90 yards from the Nipsic. Several
| of the officers and men were washed
overheard and drow ned. Others persisted
while making desperate efforts to swim
| to the shore. Some remained for hours
in the rigging, but heavy and swift sue
| ceedipg waves dasEing over them carried
them off one by one.
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 warship Trenton broke from
her anchorage and was driven upon the
wreck OF the VAndal,a, whence sue drifted
to the shore. The bottom of the Trent on
was completely stove and her hold was
hali-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 unmanageab'e and she was
driven upon the beach, where she lay 10
II tolerably fair position.
The following is a record of the officers
| and men lost:
Eber-The captain and all other Off
GERS except one, and rs meu.
Vandalia-The captain, fonr officers
and 40 men. Nipsic, seven men. Adler,
altogether, 10 persons.
Mataafa seat number of men to the
assistance of the ships. They rendered
splendid aid in trying to float the Olga.
The Emperor Deeply Moved.