The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-03-14
Sensation at San francisco.

Sensation at San francisco.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 8.-Great promi~
hence is given in the papers here to the
rumor that an American man-of-war was
sunk in Samoan waters in fight with the
German corvette Olga. While no oredenoe
is given to the report, the publication has
occasioned sensation following the re-
port from Kiel few days ago of a re-
ported engagement.
The fact that the name of the vessel
alleged to have been sunk is omitted adds
to the disbelief in the report, but it is as
sumed that the vessel is the Nepsio, Cap
tain Mulone commanding. Captain
sohenk, quartermaster of the United
States marine corps, verifes the state
ment that the Olga was supplied with tor
pedoes, which is not the case with the
three American war vessels dispatched to
Samoa.
The steamship Alameda, of the Oceanic
line, which left here for Australia Febru-
ary 9, touched at Tutuila, the southern
island of the Samoan group, February %,
and arrived at Auckland March 8. Had
any engagement occurred at Apia she
would probably have heard of the fact at
Tutuila and carried the news to Auckland,
where the facts would have been cabled.
It is conceded that the information might
not have reached Tutuila, as Apia Is
Eeventy miles distant, in time for the
| Alameda to carry the news to Auckland.
| The steamship Zealander is due at this
port March 16 with news from Samoa
down to March 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE NIPsIo.
WASHINGTON, March S.-The Nipsic
which is supposed to be the American yes
sell referred to in the German publication,
! is rated as wood of the third-class with six
guns. The Vsndlia and Trenton, which
have doubtless reached Samoa by this
time, are also wooden vessels, carrying
eight and ten guns respectively IN
their main batteries. Most OF
these guns are smooth pore,
but naval officers say that at short range
and against unarmored vessels such as
the German gunboats now in Samoan
waters, these cannon are as effective as
rified ordnance.
Unless the German gunboats have also
been reinforced, the American fleet now
at Apia is regarded as superior in often
sive power, as its vessels are fresh from
the repairer's hands, and the crews are
strong in number.
DIsoREDITED IN WARRINGTON.
WASHINGTON, March 8.-The story of the
engagement between the German man-of-
war Olga and an American man-ofwar in
the harbor OF Apia, resulting in the sink
ing of the American vessel, is generally
disoredited at the navy department.. No
information upon the subject has been
received at the department Of state. AT
the navy department it is said that the
news of an event of such importance
would surely reach the United States al
least as soon as German city. The Nep'
sic was the only United States man-of
war at Samoa prior to the LIST inst, but il
is believed the Trenton and Vandalis
which sailed from Honolulu early in Feb
} ruary, reached Samoa March 1.
NOTHING FROM SAMOA.
i WASHINGTON, March 9.-There is still 9
dearth of news from Samoa in the state
and navy departments.
SENSATIONAL RUMoRs ARLoAT.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 9, 8 p. m.-Th'
secretary of the navy telegraphed thu
| Union iron works this afternoon inquir
ing how soon the Charleston could be got
ten ready for service. In consequence Of
this telegram all manner of rumors have
been afioat this afternoon regarding Sa
: moa to the effect that the reported sink
: ing of the Nipsic had been confirmed, and
that one of the Oceanic Steamship com
4. pany's 50 amers had been seized nssr Sa
moa by German gunboat.
BULLETIN.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 9.-The Chronicle
: (newspaper) has bulletin that the United
5 States man-of war Nipsic is sunk, and tina
3 the Charleston has been ordered in imme
{ date readiness. The Examiner news
i paper) reports that the steamship Alamedt
/. has been captured by the Germans. TIT
excitement here is simply frightful.
THE SAMOAN RUMoR.
: WASHINGTON, March 9.-Secretary Trac!
left Washington for New York this after
noon. Commodore Walker, who acts al