Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1889-05-03
CURRENT AFFAIRS.
THE SAMOAN DISASTER.
Secretary Trncy's Letter 10 Admiral
Kiniberly.

Secretary Tracy's Letter TO Admiral
Kimberly.
Secretary Tracy of the Navy Department
has addressed a letter to Rear Admiral Kim
berly, commanding the United States naval
forces at Samoa, in which, after expressing
the regret universally felt at such an appall
ing disaster, he briefly recounts the story
of the disaster as learned through the des
patches and says regarding the flagship
Trenton Every endeavor was made to
control her movements and her command
ing officer states in his report that, upon at
least one occasion, it was through the ex
celent Judgment Of Lieut. X. NJ. @. Brown,
the navigating officer, that the ship cleared
the reef and was saved. The department
notes with satisfaction your commendation
Of Lieut. Brown and also of Lieut. Comdr
Henry w. Lyon, the executive officer, for
their efforts TO save the ship. After a col
lision with the Olga the Trenton passed
over the western reef, where she drifted
with the current, until she struck the ground
near Nandalia From your own report and
from other accounts that have reached the
department, it appears that the conduct Of
those under your command evinced through
out that courage, resolution and fortitude
which the United States has learned always
to expect from the officers and seamen Of
its navy When her Britannia majesty's
ship Calliope fortunate in the possession Of
more powerful engines succeeded in her
gallant effort 10 pass the Trenton and steam
out Of the harbor against the hurricane the
ringing cheer from the American flagship,
as her crew were standing in the face Of
death, showed a spirit alike generous and
dauntless During the whole Of Saturday,
when the Trenton was helpessly dragging
her anchors on the verge of destruction, the
officers preserved their composed aud heroic
bearing, and directed her movements with
consummate skill, the crew were thrown
into the rigging as substitute for sails,
and, through the cool and exact judgment
of those charged with her guidance, she
was enabled to escape the extremity of peril
Finally at the close Of day when she brought
up alongside Of the Nandalia, her officers
and men, notwithstanding the suiferings
through which they had passed, and the
dangers by which they were still surround
ed thought only of doing their utmost TO
assist their comrades of the Nandalia, whose
distress was greater than their own, aud by
firing rockets with life lines over the masts
| anu TlEElnE Oh tue sullhen NtSStl lltS SUI
ceeded in rescuing all those who had taken
refuge there while under the inspiration
Of sentiment which has awakned re
| sponse in every American heart, the band
Of the flag ship, TO encourage those who
| dazed with fatigue and weakened by expos
ure were still clinging to the rigging, play
ed the national anthem
In reply to your request and that Of
Capt. Farquhar for a court Of inquiry, the
| department has to say that it deems such a
court unnecessary. 1t is satisfied that the
officers in command Of the ships at Apia
| did their duty with courage, fidelity and
sound judgment, and that they were zeal
ously and Loyalty seconded by their subor
dinates that the hurricane which caused
the destruction of the vessels and the loss
Of 50 many lives was one Of those vista
tions of providence, in the presence Of which
/ human efforts are Of little avail, and that
the measures actually taken by yourself and
the officers under you were all that wis
| dom and prudence could dictate.