The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-21
He Details the Incidents of thS
Recent Disaster at Apla.
While the Story Is Told In Plain
Words, 1t Will Move
Every American Reader Who Fol-
lows His Faithful Lines
To Admiration For the Brave Men Who
Passed Through That Awful Tx
perience-A Cadet Tells Th.lling
Story of the Misfortune.

WAsHrNoToN, April o0.-The mornings
mail delivered at the Navy Department
today brought two letters from Admiral
Kimberly, referring TO the wrecking OF the
American fleet at Apia. The first letter is
dated Apia. March 49, and reads.
Secretary OF the Navy;
'Sir-I have to commend 10 the Gov
-emment OF the United States the very
great assistance we have received in saving
the public property from our wrecked YES
sells at this place from Mataaia Maietoa,
who. without any request on my part
called on me personally and sent some
hundreds OF his men to assist our people
in saving stores and materials from the
wrecked vessels. Also, when the Nipsc
and Vandalia went on shore the natives
risked their lives TO save those Of our men
who endeavored 10 reach the shore by
swimming, and two OF them lost their
lives in these attempts. II some recogni-
ton OF these services could be made.
think 1t would be appreciated very highly
by the Samoans, particularly as they have
so generally given their services. and in
two cases their lives to beiriend u.s."
Under date Of Apia, March 81, Admiral
Kimberly writes: "Thc Nipsic was got
of last night and is now anoat without
rudder or ruddcr post and her crew is en-
gagged in trying 10 get up her chains. The
Trenton is sunk. the water coming over
the portside Of her gun deck at high water.
j think her back Is broken. She might
possibly be freed from water II We had the
proper appliances, powerful steam pumps,
etc. She has no rudder or rudder post or
propeller and lies with her deck slightly
inclined 20 seawari. She lies alongside Of
the wreck OF the Nandalia which Is shore.
ward OF her The latter vessel Is total
wreck and broken in two; at high tide the
water rises over her top gallant iorecasile.
DULY her foremost is standing. We are
I, engaged securing moorings for the Nipsic
fpd In wrocking the Trenton and Vandalia.
ta1ood deal Of what we 500 might be sold
ofbublic auction 10 save expense Of storing
vel transportation. Our sick and injured
NJ doing well. 1t would perhaps he well
NJ send a wrccking vessel hero later In the
inysan 70 save the Trcnton's heavy guns,
a'sinuniod~a, etc. i have received from
Capt. heniyV. Kane, Royal Navy, diving
suit ana Apparatus and will use Il fof
all II rs Wor1ti, but We ought TO have an
other IN cysc Of an accident TO this.
hope that lie department will not forget
S ,Tcps He o nuneSs 40, 10 I n S"1 cS dI
one, which Vessel had but ono boat
gave 70 her Q No Of our tcn-oarcd cutters,
but he did p5t consider Il safe 10 lie thcre
az this Hl,Son OF the year, She has sailed
tltta ,,..rtttn.. Toe EsIputf tehara ata ..t1t
be repaired. She was considerably dam
aged by the Olga colliding with her.
Almost every vessel was nj one time or
another In collision with some other YES.
sci, and a great deal Of the damage that
occurred was lowing 10 this cause. II
can save the Nipsic-which eau be done
II weather permits, ] will send her under
convoy TO Auckland 20 be docked and
repaired. Another ship should be sent
here for the purpose Of conveying her, rs
the risk Of an improvised rudder Is too
great 10 send her there alone. have still
20 learn OF the condition OF her machinery
and propeller. but shall be informed in the
course OF a few days. Very respectfully
your obcdicnt servant,
l.. A. Kimberly,
Rear. Admiral U. S. n. Commanding
United states Naval Force on Pacific
Station.
A letter from Commander d. W. Null
Ian, Of the Nipsic, dated Apia, March %,
addressed 20 the Secretary Of the Navy,
reads "In compliance with paragraph ~,
page rs Of the United States Navy Regu-
lations / have the honor 10 report that I'll
boiler power was used ON the 10Th OF
; March, during tho violent hurricane which
occurred 10 thia harhor.
I'D. w. MuLLAS,
Commander. Commanding"