Omaha daily bee., 1889-04-14
DESPERATE STRUGGLE FOR LIFE
The Samoan Storms.

The Samoan storms.
tCOpptght, 1889, by Western Associated Press.l
APIA, Samoa, (per steamer Alameda, San
Francisco, April 13-The little group Of
Samoan, or Navigator islands, which few
months ago attracted the attention of the
civilized world by fierce civil combats be-
tween two factions Of natives, and the conse-
quent possibility of serious complication be.
tween the two great powers of the United
States and Germany, have been visited by a
diaster more appalling than all the wars ever
waged here. The United States and Ger
many have lost nearly $50 lives ana nearly
$1,000, 600 worth Of property. The most vio-
lent and destructive hurricane ever known
in the South Pacific passed over
the island on the 10th and 18th of
March, and as result fleet of six war
ships and ten other vessels were ground to
atoms on coral reefs in the harbor or thrown
on the beach in front of Apia.
The United States frigate Trenton, the
flagship of the Pacific squadron, lies within
stones throw Of the American consulate, a
total wreck. Tle great hull Of the magnifi-
cent vessel which steamed into the harbor
few weeks ago rests on the bottom, fast
going to pieces. The United States steamer
Vandala is buried out of sight between the
Trenton and the shore. Her shattered fore
mast and smoke stack rises from the water
to 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 the deck
and rigging. The United States steamer
Nipsic lay for several days alongside the
Vandalia, with her bow high on the beach
md within five feet of the waters edge.
This vessel though badly damaged, was
hauled off few days after the storm and is
the only war ship atloat IN the harbor.
The force of the storm was never equaled
in this part of the world before. The barom-
eter had been falling steadily for several
days previous, and the wind commenced to
blow on Friday, March Is, and con-
tinued until Sunday morning. The
rain fell in torrents during the
whole time, and great clouds of sand swept
over the town. Hundreds of people stood on
the beach and watched the awful spectacle
in the harbor. The vessels all had a full
head of steam and three or four anchors out
The yards and top masts were down and
every precaution taken to insure the safety
of the ships, but the wind constantly shifted
from northeast to northwest and its force
was SO great that the vessels dragged their
anchors all over the harbor, drifting from
one side to another and coming into collision
several times Tremendous seas broke over
the decks and torrents of water rushed down
the hatchways and put out the fires. The na-
tives acted nobly, wading far out in the surf
wItre white man could not live, and many
life was saved through their efforts. Out
of seventeen vessels which had been moored
in the harbor, only TWO small schooners re-
manned afioat, and these were badly dam
aged.
The men-of-war anchored In the harbor
were naturally very close together Those
nearest the shore were the Eber and Nipsic.
The Eber was directly in front of the Am
erican consulate about quarter of a mile
from the shore, and the NIpsic was about 2OO
yards east of the Eber. The Adler was just
ahead of the Nipsic, and the Olga
and Caliope were ahead of the Eber.
The Vandala was beyond the Calliope
mile off shore. The Trenton was the last
of the war ships to arrive here, and being
much larger than any other man of-war in
the bay, there was no room for her near the
,hcrc, 50 she was obliged to drop anchor be-
yond the Vundalia, just within the outer
coral reef. The sailing craft were in shallow
water vest OF the men n-of-war. The Trenton
and Vnndala had the most dangerous berths
in the harbor. while the position Of the Nip,
sic was considered the safest.
When the daylight of Saturday came il
was seen that the position Of the vessels
had entirely changed. The furious wind had
swept them from their former moorings, and
they were all bearing down in tho direction
OF the reef. Black smoke was pouring from
their tunnels, showing that desperate efforts
were being made to keep them up agains,
the wind Several small sailing vessels had
gone ashore in the western part oi
the hay. The Eber, Adler and Nipsit
were very close together and only few
yards of tho reef The little gunboat Ebci
was making q desperate struggle for life
but every moment was being drawn nearer
and nearer the reef. Suddenly her PROV
struck the Nipsic and the shock carried
away several feet OF the Nipsic's rail and one
boat The Eber then fell back and filed with
the Olga, which checked her progress, and
then swung around broadside to the wind
and drfted slowly toward the reef.
In moment more the Eber was lifted OF
the crest OF great wuve and carried broad
side on tho reef She came down with awfu
force, and in an instant there wa.
not vestige of her to be seen
Al first II seemed as II every man on tn,
illsfated steamer had gone 20 his death, bu
presently y man was seen clinging to tn,
piiing under a small walk, who proved TO b'
Lieutenant Gacdeke, OF the Eber, and wa.
the only officer Of that vessel saved. Fou
OF the five sailors were rescued by the ma
tlves aud ali taken to the American con
sulate. Five officers and sixty-six men wer,
4 i5st
1'he Adler was now close TO the reef, abou
two hundred yards west Of where thu
Eber struck, and In half al
a.,
OF the reef and turned completely over. bu
30 far up that nearly the entire hull was on
Of water and the decks facing the shore, 81
that the men were comparatively protected
They had but few yaras to SWIM and tn
nrnn, cll Lumber ,Nera rescued OF the 70