The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-04-02
THE GREAT STORM
Additional Details OF the Loss Of the
American and German War
Ships at Apia,
The Fury OF the Wind Sufficient to
Lift the Vessels Bodily Out OF
the Water.
A Poor Lot of Tubs ca be sent 10 samoa IN
Place of the Wrecked American
Nessels.

LONDON. April Further particulars
OF the disastrous storm at Apia have just
been received. The hurricane burst upon
the harbor suddenly, and the German man
of-war Eber was the first vessel TO drag her
anchor. She became unmanageable and
was driven helplessly ON the reef which
runs around the harbor. She struck broad
side and the shock caused her 10 lurch and
10 stagger back, sinking In moment in
deep water. Most OF her men were under
the matches, and scarcely a soul OF them
escaped. The German war vessel Adler
was the next TO succumb. She was lifted
bodily by gigantic wave and cast on her
beam ends on the reef. A terri.
BILE struggle for life ensued among
the officers and sailors aboard.
Many plunged into the raging surf and
struck out, some reaching the shore In
safety. Others clung 10 the rigging until
the masts fell. OF those who were ON the
masts only two gained the shore. The cap
tain of the Adler and several other officers
were saved. Meantime the United States
ship NipsIc had been dragging her anchors
and drifting toward the shore. The cap
tain, however, managed To keep control
and ran her on sand bar. The boats
were Immediately lowered and the whole
company were saved with the exception Of
six men: these were drowned by the cap
sizing OF boat The United States ship
NaDdalia was carried before the gale
right upon the reef. She struck with a ter
rible shock. hurting the captain against a
gatling gun and he fell stunned: before he
could be recovered n great wave swept the
deck and washed him and others
away into the sea. The vessel sank tifty
yards from the Nipslc and several OF the
officers and men went down with her.
Others perished while making desperate
efforts 10 swim 10 the shore. some Of
the ships company tried 10 save
themselves by clinging TO the rigging, but
heavy and swift running waves dashed
over them and one by one they were swept
away. BY this time night had sci In aud
many natives and Europeans had gathered
on the shore, all anxious 10 render assist
ance TO the unfortunate crews; but owing
to the darkness they were wholly unable
10 be- OF service. soon after the NaDdalia
had sunk the American war ship Trenton
broke iron her anchorage and was driven
upon the wreck Of the Nandalia, whence
she drifted to shore The bottom Of the
Trenton was completely stove and her
hold half full OF water. As morning
dawned the German man Of war Olga,
which had hitherto withstood the gale, al
though much battered by the heavy seas
that constantly broke upon her, became
unmanageable and was driven upon the
beach, where she lay In atolerably favora-
ble position. The following Is a record OF
officers and men lost: Eber, the captain,
and all other officers, except one, and sew
enty-six men; Vandalia, captain. four Of
fcers and forty men; Nipslc, seven men;
Adler, altogether fifteen persons Mataafa
sent a number Of his men % the assistance
Of the wrecked ships and they rendered
splendid aid In trying 10 float the Olga.