The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-09
The American Ship Nipsic Said to
Have Been Blown Up
By the German Cruiser Olga in an
Enforcement.
The Teutonic Vessel Fires Tor.
pedo Into the Little Ship.
Nothing Definite Is Learned and Little
Credence is Given the Report, But
There Is an Indication That
Something Is in the Wind.


reported blowing up Of the United States
steamer Nipsic at Samoa, by the Ger
man cruiser, Olga. This report printed
in the Herald OF March 8, as a dispatch
from Breslau, where the information Of
such an encounter was first printed, is the
basis Of much comment, according to the
Herald, in Washington, where its cor
respondent interviewed naval officers with
results printed In the Herald this morn
ing and from which the following
epitonization is made:
Commodore Sicard has no knowledge Of
the Nipsic having been sunk by Ger
man torpedo, save such as Is furnished by
the Hcrdifs Breslau dispatch. Referring
TO the torpedo armament OF the German
gunboats, Commodore Sicard said: The
working range Of these torpedoes, TO be
fired with accuracy, is about 400 yards.
The German navy uses the Schwartzkopff
torpedo, which is made in Germany, and
nowhere else. II contains about
ninety-three pounds OF guncotton,
which is equal in force to 800
pounds Of gunpowder. They are launched
from the side OF the ship, and after being
properly aimed, are shot into the water.
They travel at the rate OF twenty five
knots per hour aud II the Nipsic was
within a short distance OF the Olga, IL
would have been impossible for her TO
have gotten out OF the way.
Commodore Sicard said that the Nipsi C
might have been in such position that IL
was impossible for her to get out OF the
torpedo range, presuming that the re-
ported engagement actually took place.
II such was the case II would fare very
badly with her.
Concluding, the Admiral said: "The
Trenton and Vandalia must be there by
this time, and II anything should have
happened 10 the Nipsic, you may rest as
sured that they will be heard from. Ad-
miral Kimberly, the commander OF the
Trenton, is Courageous officer, and was
with farragut us his flng-lieutenant all
through the war. He will stand no non.
sense. and II there Is any trouble will give
an excellent account OF himself"
In talk with the Herald correspondent
Commodore Harmony, the assistant secre-
tary OF the Navy Department, wasdisposed
10 doubt the correctness Of the reported
sinking OF the Nipsic. He said: "0f
course do not think there Is any truth in
the report, but nnon abatement ofpossible
conditions | make my comments. II the
Olga did lombard tho town and injure
American property and American citizens,
the commander OF the Nipsic would pro-
test inst and then, falling 10 secure pro-
lection 10 our interests. would open fire.
A naval officer has all the dis
erection any one has. lie can
made war without orders II, In his
Judgment the circumstances demand II.
10 the Herald correspondent Admiral
Porter said: "As understand II the OIL
GERS VINO were sent down there were under
instructions 10 be very careful and con-
sentative, and therefore IL IL not likely
they were provoked into such a rupture.
| do not think the report true for many
reasons / have noticed several
sensational items In German papers OF
late OF disparaging nature as to
tho United States. Again, II an eleven
inch shell exploded between the decks Of
the Olga Il Is not likely she was In con.
dition to have used torpedocs on the Nip.
sic. An officer knowing his business
would have fired at the olga's water line,
lying az they were, close together, and
that would have settled her.
"ln regard 10 a navy, IL II said a little
cherub ats mp alolt looking out for
drunken sailors and the United States
navy. When II comes 10 ships, we haven't
any, 10 there can be no fighting. Then
the wisdom Of the ott-rcpcated counsel OF
myself and Others OF tho navy that we
should build n navy will DO demonstrated.
We should have begun the work In earn.
cat nj the close Of the late war"
The Heraid's San Francisco special states
that that city was In n nuitcr last night
over the receipt OF the news that the Olga
had sunk the Nipsic In Samoan waters.
n. 4. Pond. Mayor oi the city, said.
'The question IL, what can we do7 What
forces have we at our commando There
IL no doubt but that We should blow tho
Germans out OF the waters If we can"
Mai. GOldsborough, General Paymastcr
United States Navy, said. 1--WE should
wade In and Kill few men for tho Ger.
mans, blow them M II possible"
James &. fairsaid America will have
/ 10 be a little careful until she gets few
more ironclads-ioriy or liily more. | do
not believe the report can be true. So far
/ the German Government has acted very
sauarcly, and u there Is any one 10 blame,
Il ID her officials, who have exceeded their
authority"
Capt W. s. schcnek, quartermasler
United States Marine Corps. said: Our
vessels at samoa do not carry torpcdocs,
which gives the Olga an Immense adyant-
are over them. Tbs coast II not In very
excellent trim for 4 war. The Charleston
Is not ready. The Monadnock lies un.
finished at Mari bland; the Commaneho
also there Il sipge turrclcd monitor, aud
could not take long soa VOYAGE. hardly
think the report 4 true. In any event,
We wait for ordcts'
Touching the authenticity Of tho re-
ported encounter, the Heniid rcion 10 the
Tact that a German ship with the news
might have reached Auckland within four
or five days after the occurrence and
cabled tho incts 70 Germany before the ar.
riyai there Of a Ihai line boat, upon which
the American dispatch agent stationed
There by Secretary Whitney two months
ago, would be Obliged 10 depend for the
same iniOfmatiqpT
Tho news Received NJ Frisco.
sAS FRAScisco. Cal, March S-Groat
prominenco Is given by the papers here TO
a rumor that an American man .oi.war was
sunk In Samoan waters Ia a Eight with the
German corvette Olga While no crcdence
Is given 10 the report, the publication has
oocasloncd q sensation. following the
report from Keil, few days ago, Of a
reported cngsgemsnt The fact that
the name Of the vessel alleged to have
been sunk Is omitted adds to the disbelief
In tue rcPor, bu, ! isassgned tina, the