New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-21
THE HURRICANE AT SAMOA.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF ADMIRAL KIMBERLY
ON THE DISASTER

THE NIPsIC AFLoAT-wRECKs OF THE TRENTON
AND vANDALIA KINDNESS OF CAPTAIN
KANE, OF THE cALLIoPE-CoURAGE-
Gus NATIVES THE FLAG
SHIPS EXPERIENCE.
Washington, April 2O-The mornings mail de-
lvered at the Navy Department to-day brought
two letters from Admiral Kimberly referring to the
wrecking of the American feet at Apla They
were accompanied by long detailed report OF the
disaster in the harbor. The hrst letter is dated
Apa, March TO- and reads
Secretary of the Navy
Sir: / have to commend to tho Government OF
the United States the very great assistance we nave
received In saving the public property from our
wrecked vessels at this place, from Mataafa Maieoa'
who, without any request on my part, called on me
personally and sent some hundreds Of his mon 10
assist our people in saving stores and materials Tom
the wrecked vessels. Also, when tho Nipslc and
vandalla went on shore, the natives rsRed their
lives 10 save those of our men who endeaVored 10
reach the shore by swimming, and two oil then iDSs
Of these services could be made, think IL "ouiu
be appreciated very highly By the Sam3ans, par
and in two cases their lives TO betriend US.
Under date of Apia, March 81, Admiral Kimberly
writes:
The Nipsic was got off last night and IS now ahoat
without rudder or rudderpost, and her crew Is en-
raeed in irving TO get up her chains. Inc Ioh'ON'
is sunk the water coming the port side OF her
deck at high water / think her back is brohen.
She might possibly be freed from water II VIC hau
the proper appliances, powerful steam pumps, Stc.
sho has no rudder, rldderpost or propeller anu ne
with her deck slightly inclined TO seward enc hcS
alongside of tho wreck OF the Vandalia, when Is
shoreward of her The latter vessel Is toal Ser
and broken in two at high tide the water rises w s
her top gallant forcoastle. Only her Ioret s The
standing. We engaged securing mooIlhSS IU ala
Eipsc and i'm wTecknR tho Ircntou anu eShiic
good deal OF what we might be sOld at puo pun.
auction 10 save expense OF storing ana udnspo''"-
ton. -. Ill If would per.
Our sick and injured are doing well !. sU% IN Rthe
hans be well TO send wreckng vessel nero Iaer ~ oo
season TO save the TrentOns heavy guns, auiH u
ptc I have received from Captain henry \. ~, nai
Royal Navy diving suit and apparatus ana VIII use ~;
II for ali it Is worth but ought TO have ahotaeI IA
case of accident TO this hope that the Department
distress He commands the b. NJ. 3 CalIloIo, M1 t
vessel had but one boat gave 10 her one oI our LII
osred cutters but he did not consider It saie 10 ne teo
~ tbis season OF the year. She has sailed this morning
So- sydney where she viii be repaired she was con
sidersbly damaged by the Olga collldng WIN hef. AZ
sion with some other vessel and great zeal OF inc
damage that occurred owing 10 this cause; .
~ I can save the Nipsic, which can DC done IL
weather Dermits, / will send her under convoy 10
Auckland to be docked and repaired. Another snip
shoild be sent here for the purpose OF convoy ing
her as the risk Of mprovised rudder IS 700 great
10 send her there aiODe. l have sun TO learn OF
the condition of her machinery and propeller, out
shall be informed in the course OF lew DAYS very
respecffully, your obedient servant.
l. A. KIMBERLY, Rear-Admiral y. s. \.
Commanding U. S. Naval force on Pacific Stauoh'