, 1889-05-02
INQUIRY DENIED.
Secretary Tracy Says the Samo-
on Squadron Did Its Duty,
And Therefore He will not Per-
nit a Court Of Inquiry.
wa.h,ne eton Matters In Generai--The Cos
sip ofa sossipy City--whise
House Chat.

to day addressed letter to Rear Admiral
Kimberly acknowledging the receipt OF re-
ports from the admiral and other officers
narratinR the circumstance of the disaster
at Samoa. The secretary adds:
~ need not say to you that this event
has caused the department profund sor-
ow, which rs the appalling extent and
character OF the catastrophe became
known was reflected throughout the
country. Even II the navy was possessed
OF an ad equate numbe OF ships TO supply
the NJ cessities of service the 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
thorugh stage Of transition. when most
of it's previously existing vessles have dis
an ppesred and ITS new fleet IL only on the
threshold Of exist ance the blows come with
orippling force. The department learns
with the deepest pain that the wreck re-
suited in the death OF four officers and
forty seven men. However. severely the
Obstruction of the vessels may be felt the
loss Of 80 many valuable lives
is far greater and more irreparable mis-
fortune. Captain Schoonmaker died as he
had lived, AT his post of duty, q gallant and
bis country to the last. The hurricane at
Samoa has brought affiiction to many
American househ Olds, which will receive
the deepest sym pathy Of the government
Yet il cannot be said that those who died
thus mantully facing danger In the execu-
ton Oftheir duty have died Ia vain"
After reviewing ~ some length the de-
tails OF reports and noting with satisfaction
the commendation Of various officers, the
secretary continues: 1T appears that the
conduct OF those under your command
evinced throughout that courage. resolu'
H.. .t;t, d.. i,ich tho ITnitad Sfataa
has learned always to expect from the
officers and seamen of the United States
navy, When her Britanic msjestys ship
Caiiiope, fortunate In Ithe possession Of
more powerful engines, succeeded In her
gallant effort to pass the Trenton and
cane, the ringing cheer from the
American feeship as her crew were
standing in the face OF death
sho wed spirit alike generous and daunt-
less. During the whole of Saturday when
the Trenton was helplessly dragging her
officers preserved their composed and
heroic bearing, and directed her move
ments with consummate skill. At the
close OF tho day, when she brought up
alongside the Vandalis, her officers and
men, not withstauding the suffering
dangers by which they were still sur.
rounded, thought only Of doing their ut
most TO assist their com rades OF the Van.
dalia, whose distress WAS greater than their
own. while under the Stnspiration OF
sentiment which has awakened response
In every American heart, the band Of the
flagship to encourage those who
dazed with fatigue, weakness aud exposure,
we're still clinging to the rigging, played
the national anthem.
In reply to your request and that OF
Captain Farquahar for q court OF inquiry
Al = k..u ~ ~ ~ dnA ADnC
such Q court unnecessary. II Is satisfied
that the officers in command at this time
did heir duty with courage, fidelity and
sound judgment, and they were zealously
and Loyalty seconded by their subordin.
ates. That hurricane which caused
the loss Of so many lives was
one OF those visitatiops OF Providence
in the presence Of which human efforts
are Of LITTLE avail that the measures actu-
ally taken by yourself and officers under
you were all that wisdom and prudence
could dictate, and that 1t was due TO these
measures that so large proportion OF the
crews were saved; that the one step which
might have avoided the catastrophe,
namely to have put to sea before the storm
had dev eloped, could only be justified.
in view Of the grave responsibilities resting
upon you ut Samoa BY the certainty o.
overwhelming danger to your fleet which
could not then be forsseen; that you
rightly decided to remain ct your post
and tha THE department, even In the face
OF the terrible disaster which Il
involved approves absolutely OF
your decision, which has set an
example to the navy that should never be
forgotten. To convene court 81 inquiry
under these circumstances would seem to
imply doubt on the part of the department
where no doubt eaists, and instead OF or
dsring an investigation II tenders to you
aid through you to the officers aud men OF
your command its sympathy for the ex'
posures and bardships you have encoun-
tered, and it's prOfuud thanks for the hdel.
ity with which you performed your duty
in the crisis OF APPALLING danger.
Very Respectfully, r. Tracy,
Secretary of the Navy.