The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-04-28
A Letter From the Secretary of the
Navy to Rear Admiral
Kimberly.
High Praise OF the Management
OF the Ships in the Sa-
moan Hurricane.
Sympathy Expressed With the fan,i-
lies Of tho Drowned- Heroism In
Time OF Peace.

WASHINGTON, April q. Secretary Tracy
to-day addressed letter TO Rear Admiral
Kimberly acknowledging reception OF re-
ports from the admiral and oseer officers
narrating the circumstance of the disaster
at Samoa. The secretary adds: IL need
not say TO you that this event has caused
the department profound sorrow, which, as
the appalling extent and character OF the
catastrophy became known, was reflected
throughout the country. Even II the navy
were possessed Of an adequate number OF
ships to supply the necessities Of seryice.th
loss OF three at one blow would be serious
dimunition Of the available cruising force
to navy passing, as is that of the United
States, through stage OF transition. When
most OF IL previously existing vessels have
disappeared and its new feet Is only on the
threshold OF existence, the blow comes
with crippling force. The department
learns with the deepest pain that the wreck
resulted In the death OF four officers and
forty-seve men. However severely the
destruction OF vessels may be felt the loss
OF so many valuable lives Is far greater and
far more irreparable misfortune. Capt.
Schoonmaker died as he had lived, at the
post of duty, a gallant and generous officer
and q devoted servant OF his country TO the
last.
"The hurricane at Samoa has brought af
Fiction 10 many q household, which will
receive .ne ueepes. symPa.ny VI .ne kvs k
eihn.n,. sii'u va' @ oo ea,u s saas snos az ,ho
u.eu .tu., 'us ,.s ,h.,,, 49, 49, T., a.,n !,
After reviewing Mt some length the de-
tails OF the reports and noting with salts
faction the conduct OF and commencing va
% .,ous o,uu' ',Sa oonSnc, 20 'hass nnda,
apPeAIs .nas no 1'.S ,a'h,,, ~, ss.,
your connanu eshor snr,,,,So hion e
coutaer, .esoius,on anu .o't,.auo "nien
tne uni'eo o.ao' mss rssai,s al
Ways 70 shPevu run ohoeis anu
whan sveo hs, pyi,.n,c ma,esty's sbin csIiione'
nen noi ~. ,.a''svo. '.,,i,s
ioi'una.e IN tne Possess,oh ~ oi avae poT pT.,
iui engines, succesuea .n ne, sailas' n.y. ~ =
70 pass he irentoh anu sIos.n ou' ~ nie
nalpot aksins' .no % asmss,
cncef Iioih tno amesoan nsse"P .si
crew were s!andine IN tne lace u dea.n,
showed q spirit alike generous and daunt-
less. During the whole OF Saturday, when
the Trenton was helplessly dragging her
anchors on the verge oil destruction, the OF
icers preserved their composed ana heroic
bearing and directed her movements with
c0nsummate skill. Az the close OF the
day, when she brought ap along
side OF the Nandalia, her omcers
and men, notwithstandlnR the sunering
through which they had passed and the
dangers by which they were still surround
cd, thought only OF dong their utmost 10
assist their comrades OF the vandalia,
whose distress was greater than their own,
while under an inspiration OF sentiment
which has awakened response In every
American heart the band OF the nagship, 10
encourage those who, dazed with fauRue,
UAn meas And HynDsnTa. were 4tlll clInKlnH
TO the rigging, played the nationa! anthem.
SIN reply TO your request ana tnat on
Capt Forquhar fol- court OF inquiry, the
department has TO say u deems such court
unnecessary. IL Is satisned ihe oncers 10
command at this time did their duty with
courage, fidelity and sound Judgment, and
they were zealously and Loyalty seconded