Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-04-01

ports of the loss OF the German and Ameri-
can men-of-war at Samoa. The dispatch
states that three United States vessels, the
Nandalia, Trenton and Nipsic. and three
German war ships were wrecked
The Vandalia and Trenton were entirely
wrecked, and the Nipsic was driven on the
beach, where she remains.
The British war ship Calliope, which was
also at that point, weathered the gale.
The loss of life was forty-six enlisted men
and four officers of the United States navy,
and ninety-six men from the German men
of-war.
The names of the United States officers
Paymaster F. II. Armes and Clerk Roche of
the Vandalia, and Lieutenant Sutton of the
Marine Corps.
At the Navy Department it is stated that
there are no vessels on the Pacific coast
ready to be sent to sea, and in view of this
fact the officers and crews of the lost ves-
sells will be sent home by the usual trans
portation methods.
ADMIRAL KIMBERLY's DISPATCH.
The following is the dispatch received
AUCKLAND, March 50, 1889.
To the Secretary Of the Nary, Washington, d. c.:
There was hurricane at Apia March 18th, and
everything in the harbor is on shore except the
English man-of-war Calliope, which got to sea-
The Trenton and Vandalia are total losses The
Nipsic is beached, with her rudder gone and
may be saved, though the chances are against it
If saved will send her to Auckland. if possible
THIS vANDALIA's LIST.
The Vandalia lost four officers and thirty nine
men. namely: Captain Schoonmaker, Paymaster
Armes, Lieutenant of Marines Sutton, Pay Clerk
John Roche, Henry Baker, Warren Brisbane
William Brown, Quartermaster Michael CaShen
Michael Cragin, Benjamin F. Davis, Thomas c.
Downey, Magnus Erickson, S. c. Ghring, Adolph
Goldner. George German, Nathan B. Green, JOS
Griffin, Z. NJ. Hammer, John ]. Hanchett, C. H.
Hawkins, w. Howat, Frank Jones, Geo. Jordan
\; H. Joseph: John Kelly, Thomas Kelly, n
kinsella, g. ?. kratZer, Charles Kraus, Frank
Lessman: George Merrage, Aylmer Montgomery
Thomas Riley, II. P. Stalman, c. E. O. Dauford
Jonn Sims. G. d. Wells. John Milford Henry
Wixted, All Kow, All Peck, Pen Dang, TIE Choir
THE NIPsICs LOSS.
The Nipsic lost seven men, namely: George
w. Callan, John Gill, Joshua Heap, Thomas
johnson, David Kelleher Henry Pontsell, Will
lam Watson.
All were saved from the Trenton. The Tren.
ton and Naudalia's crews are ashore. The
Nipslc's crew are on board.
All the stores possible were saved.
THE GERMAN LOSSES.
The German ships Adler and Eber are total
losses. The Olga is beached and may be saved
The German losses are ninety-six
1t is important to send 800 men home at once
Shall l charter steamer? / can charter one
in Auckland. Lieutenant Wilson will remain
IN Auckland to obey your orders. Further ac-
counts by mail. L. A. KIMBERLY.
DESCRIPTION OF THE HARBoR
There is a great deal of speculation
among naval officers as to the circumstances
which led to the wreck of the American
and German vessels in Apia harbor. This
harbor is described as being circular in
shape, with an entrance to the north not
more than l, 800 yards wide Adjacent to
the shores surrounding the harbor are the
ledges of reefs upon which the vessels met
their destruction. The theory is that the
hurricane came up suddenly and with in
tense violence, accompanied by very high
TIDE, and before steam sufficient to leave
the harbor could be generated the anchors
dragged and the ships were hurled upon
the reefs. The fact that the English man
of-war Calliope got to sea is accounted for
on the theory that she may have had steam
up in time to get away before the hurri-
cane was at its worst.
Scores of kilograms have been received at
the State Department from the friends of
officers and men on the wrecked ships,
asking information as to their fate. Ali
the news received at the Department will
be given to the press.
LATER ADvICEs.
Later advices received here from Auck-
land regarding the hurricane at Samoa say
the storm swept the island on the 18th inst.
All the war-ships attempted to put to sea,
but only the English steamer Calliope sue
ceeded in getting out. The merchant ves-
sells suffered severely. The bark Peter
Godeffrey and one other bark and seven
coasters were wrecked. Four persons were
drowned. The Calliope has sailed for
Sydney. The Peter Godeffrey was a Ger
man bark and had arrived at Samoa from
Sydney.
ORDERS TO ADMIRAL KIMBERLY.
Secretary Tracy, upon receipt of Admiral
kimberlys dispatch, sent the following:
Lieutenant Wilson for Rfnberly. care of tbe Amer
tcdn Consul al auckland: Take such steps with
regard to the Nipsic and wrecks and send the
men home as you may deem proper Full
power is given you. The Monongahela sailed
ior Apls February 2lst. BENJAMIN TRACY.
AT THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
The news of the disaster created pro-
found sensation at the Navy Department.
Everybody from the Secretary down freely
expressed regret. Secretary Tracy could
not see any cause to condemn any one.
The officers in command of the vessels were
competent men, and doubtless adopted all
proper precautions against disaster, but
these hurricanes, which assume cyclonic
proportions, were simply irresistible, as was
proved by the extent of the loss of vessels.
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