New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-14
REACHING THE vANDALIA5


the Nipsic lay
Bleaching THE vANDALIAJ
CAPTAIN SchoOnmaker and Lieutenant Cariin
saw Il WINS useless TO make any further attempt
"a save the ship, and as her engines were not
powerful enough to steam out to sea- as the
ca1lione had done, they determined TO beach the
vessel Two Of her anchor chains were slipped
and n full head Of steam put on, more than She
had ever dared carry before. Passed Assistant
Engineer Webster was in charge Of the engine
room and he required his whole force Of men TO
exert themselves TO their utmost to keep the
Ares mn and engines going. The Vandala was
n Quarter OF a mile from the Nipsic and she was
Obliged 70 run along the edge Of the reef the whole
distance In order 70 reach the sandy beach
hevond Every one on shore crowded down near
the point where il was expected she would strike,
ond watched the vessel steam across the harbor
Tho Yandalia's draft was much greater than the
Cin.,o's and n was known that she would not be
ahl. IN ort close 70 the shore. She came on until
bcr how struck in the soft sand about hundred
vnr,ls of the shore, and probably forty yards from
the stem OF the Nipsic The engines were stopped
at once, and every man who wns be low rushed on
deok. The vaudalia swung around broadside 10
the beach and at first IL was thought her position
WINS comparatively safe, as IT was hoped that the
storm would abate In few hours, and that the $50
m,n ON board could be rescued then.
Il was nearly II o'clock when the ship struck,
and notwithstanding her easy position, IL soon
became apparent that her officers and crew were
in great danger Nearly all OF the officers were
on deck In sight OF every one ON shore The men
were scattered about on the gun-deck and fore
castle holding on 20 the masts and the sides of
the ship. In half an hour IL wns noticed that tho
vessel was filing with water and settling down
Living, as she did, almost broadside 70 the
wind, tho seas broke over her furi-
ously. and water poured down her matches
BY noon the whole OF the gun-deck was under
water, and from that time on the condition OF the
men was the most pitiabe that could b. imagined.
The torrents OF water that swept over the rails
knocked the men from their fret and threw
them violently against the sides Several were
badly injured Most Of the men sought refuge
in tho rigging and 10 those on shore IL seemed as
II all available space the ratlines and yards and
in the tops was occupied few officers still re-
manned upon the poop-deck, but number OF
them had gone alott The wind seemed to in
erense in fury. People on shore shuddered
as they. saw the sea break across the
stem Of the vessel The force OF the water would
break the grasp OF the officers on deck and throw
them against the rail. Nearly every one aboard
had cast away must OF his clothing and some
we're entirely naked. few had provided them
selves with life prcservers. but these could not
be obtained for all. rs the vessel had filed so
rapidly As the hull Of the steamer sank lower
in the water. the force of the waves was more
violent The men on shore were willing TO render
assistance but were Dowerless No boat could
have lived a moment in the surf. and it was i'm
Ina ~ hg aA
there was no firing apparatus on shore Lieu
tenant ,Shearman EnsiGns, Ruroell and Jones and
Consul Blackjack procured O. loRg hawser TO which
they attached n small cofd.i '
ygAhEaNT CONDUCT OF THE sAMoANs.
Three natives were found who WIRE willing to
venture OUT ID the surf with the cord and attempt
70 reach the Vupdala. The men entered the
winter quarter Of mile above the spot where
the steamer lay, wnded out as far as they could,
and then struck out into the current with the
cord tied 10 their bodies. Shouts OF encourage
ment went up from the shore and the Samoans
struggled bravely to reach the sinking ship, but
expert swimmers as they were, they were unable
10 overcome the force OF the current which rushed
down like d cataract between the Vandalia and
the shore, and the men were thrown upon the
beach without being able to get within nifty yards
Of the vessel Senmann Tafa, their chief, went
among the men and urged them to try again.
Several other attempts were made without success.
The cord fouled with pieces of wreckage which
were floating everywhere. Once 1t became fas-
tened around a broken spar under small wharf.
Ensign Jones jumped into the water and Just
as he succeeded in freeing the cord the sea struck
him and threw him among the piling under
the wharf. He was drawn out by sailor
Just in time to prevent serious injury.
Finding IL was impossible TO reach the vessel
there was nothing to do but remain near the shore
and wait for an opportunity TO render any assist
ance that might be possible. 1t was evident that
many OF the men aboard would not be able TO
stand the force OF the waves much longer, and