Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-04-15
THE HURRICANE AT APIA.
Wreck of the American and German Fle
Capt. Schoonmaker's Death.

THE HURRICANE AT ApIA.
Wreck Of the American and German Fleets
Capt. Schoonmsker's Death.
SAN Francisco, April 15-The steamship
Alameda, which arrived Saturday, brought
the particulars of the storm which worked
such havoc with the American and German
vessels and the merchant shipping in the har-
Dor of Apia, Samoa. The storm occurred
on March 10 and II, and ragged with violence
during the two days. The damage done was
unprecedented in the history of the islands
The total number of German and American
seamen lost was $50. Almost every vessel in
the harbor was wrecked and those thatescaped
were more or less injured. The damage was
not alone confined to the shipping The
houses on shore were nearly all unroofed
and many were wholly demolished OF the
seventeen vessels in the harbor only three
we're able to combat the tempest when it
broke upon them. These were two small
schooners and the British man -of-war Cal
Hope
During the storm a heavy rain fell, the
velocity of the wind was frightful and clouds
of sand were blown over the town of Apia
The vessels in the harbor were driven in
every direction and appeared to be wholly
at the mercy of the storm. Immense seas
broke over them and volumes of water
poured into the hatchways. Hundreds of
people lined the shore awe-stricken by the
havoc being worked, but powerless to aid
the distressed vessels.
The ships in the harbor had taken various
aItft flx ..,k.L oI
been anticipated for several days The
steamers had their steam up, and the sailing
vessels used extra anchors. The first vessel
to go ashore was the Eber. which was driven
on a reef and sank in deep water, carrying
down the whole crew except half dozen
men who were saved by the bravery of the
natives. The Adler followed and was lifted
bodily and landed on top of the reef and is
there yet high and dry. She lost about
twenty men.
In the meantime the Nipsic, Vandalia,
Trenton, Calliope and Olga were dragging
their anchors steadily, and finally the Nipsic
reached point were it was touch and go
whether she could be beached, but this being
the only chance Capt Mullane took it and
most skilfully utilized it, for he managed to
steer her clear of the reef and land her far
enough up TO prevent the waves from knock
ing her to pieces. A number of men were
lost, however, in jumping overheard or try
ing to get ashore in boats
The Vandalia and Calliope had now
worked near the place where the Alder lay
on the reef. Suddenly the bow of the
Calliope was raised by an immense wave and
came down with a terrible crash on the port
quarter of the Vandalia, crushing that por-
ton of the American vessel into splinters
The water poured into her through hole in
her side. Capt Kane, OF the CalliCpe, fear
ing further collision OF wreck on the reef
made all efforts to get his ship out Of the
harbor. The vessel for a moment stood
almost still, but under full head of steam
she began to move slowly out of the harbor.
As she passed the Trenton the American
sailors gave three cheers, which were re-
turned with vigor by the British sailors.
Lieut. J. w. CARING was practically in
command OF the Vandalia, Capt Schoon-
maker having been almost incapacitated by
an accident which happened few days
previous. Yet he stood by the lieutenant,
notwithstanding his weak condition and
rendered all the aid possible in directing the
ships movements Although he and Lieut.
CARING did all in their power they could not
awe the vessel Seeing no hops they decided
to beach her. She struck the shore broad
side on and lay within 100 yards Of the
shore, very near where the Nipsic had been
beached The sea broke over her in great
waves and her decks were entirely awash
The men were knocked down and hurled
against the decks.
Consul Blackjack, Ensigns Jones and Pur-
cell and Lieut. Sherman, getting possession
of a hawser, tried to send it ON board the
Vandalia, but every effort failed even with
expert native swimmers. As the men oil the
Vandalia were swept into the SEQ they made
for the Nipsic, from which lines were dang
ling in the hope that stragglers might be able
to seize them The most of those, however,
who reached the ropes were dashed against
the Nipsic and killed.
Capt Schoonmaker chung to the poop
deck, while Lieut. Carlin stood by him
and tried his best to hold him
The captain every moment grew weaker, and
feeling that he would soon have to succumb
he remarked to those about him that he
would soon nove to go. An attempt was
made to get him into the rigging, but he was
too weak to climb.
He had been repeatedly offered life pre-
server but refused it. The next wave, which
was of enormous size, entirely submerged
the Vandalia's deck The cal tain held on
with all the strength he had left, A ma
chine gun standing by was loosened from its
fastenings, and it was sent flying across the
deck. In its fight it struck the captain, APP
parently killing him outright, or rendering
him senseless. The next wave swept him
from the deck. He sank Immediately and
was seen no more.
The vessel was completely submerged, and
all hands had to take to the rigging, where
they remained until the Trenton was driven
alongside about o'clock in the night, When
most of the officers and crew got on the
Trenton, excepting Lieut. Ripley, who
jumped into the sea just before the mast gave
way, and, with great difficulty, swan to the
shore.
The Olga, after slipping her cables and get
ting clear Of the Trenton, managed to mako
Roadway against the sea for short time,
and hopes were entertained that this vessel
the last left afioat in the harbor, would be
saved, but within half an hour she was run
into one Of the best positions for Bleaching in
the harbor
The admiral Kimberly commanding the
American feet was the last to leave the
Trenton, his flagship. The Americans,
officers and sailors, were alike clad in "blue
jacket" uniform, that being the only sort Of
clothing accessible after their trying ex.
perience Admiral Kimberly said he con-
sidsred faulty construction Of the Trentons
hAwse-pipes ~ indirectly the cause Of her