The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-13
AFFAIRS AT APIA.
Scenes After the Naval Disaster.
The Little Town Has the Appear
ance of Camping Ground.
Tents Are Constructed Out of
Reef Sails and Spars.
The officers of the Vandalia in O
Destitute. Condition.
An Attempt Made to Tow the Nipsic
to Auckland, but Squat Drives
Her Back-Admiral KIM
berly's Plans.

lNNpNElgulcu Dy INC Associated lscSst 1857.
ARIA, Samoa, April 27.-The little town
OF Apia has had the appearance OF a camp
ing ground during the last few weeks.
Since the hurricane occurred, on the 10th
Of March, in which six men-of-war and
ten other vessels were wrecked or driven
-1sshore, there have been more people lv-
ing here than was ever known before in
the history OF the place. Nearly all the
survivors Of the three German warships
have gone to Sydney, and the GOO Ameri-
can sailors who composed the crews of the
Trenton and Vandalia have been waiting
for a steamer to be sent TO Apia to take
them TO San Francisco. Tho great coniu-
sion which was SO apparent Immediately
after the storm, subsidized in few days.
The tents, which have been hastily con-
structed out of sails and light spars, were
made MS comfortable as possible, and the
officers and men settled down to the daily
routine work Of saving everything that
could be taken of the wrecked vessels.
The quarters Of the Trenton and Vandalia
men are situated about 200 yards apart.
are in more destitute condition
than those OF any other vessel.
They lost everything when the ship
went down and were provided with cloth
ing and other necessaries from the stores
saved from the Trenton, Nipsic, and also
from such articles as could be purchased
ashore. BY the death OF Capt Schoon.
hn 81 L.. Ii
crew dcyolyed upon Lieut.. J. w. Car.in.
lie has had but three watch officers to
assist him, Lieuts. Culver and Heath and
Ensign Gibbons. Past Assistant Engineer
Webster has been appointed acting pay
master TO fill the vacancy caused by the
death Of Paymasler i. III. Arms. The
condition OF the Trenton and Nandalia
has not been changed much during the
past month. Both vessels are complete
wrecks. The hull OF the Trenton is several
feet out OF water and her mas,s and rig.
ging IRE still standing. but she is hard ami
fast on the bottom. with her stern resting
against the reef. Tho Nandalia Is entirely
under water, with the exception OF
her forecastlc and few feet
OF rail around the poop-dcck. The
German cruiser Adler h still upon
her beam end on the reef with an immense
hole torn in her bottom. The Ebcr lies at
the bottom Of the bay with a few loose
spans floating on the surface. A consider.
able quantity OF clothing and provisions
was saved IRON the Trenton during the
fret few days after tbs storm, and all the
machine guns on the spardcck were also
taken ashore. Divers were sent down to
examine the hull Of the Trenton, but.
owing TO the dangerous Inducements,
81 N.Ns N..NN
extent Of her injury One or two great
holes have been found under the water
line, however, which render II impossible
10 float the vessel. Admiral Kimberly
decided to remove her heavy battery, not
only 10 save the guns, but also in hope Of
tightening the vessel and pumping her out.
The work OF removing the battery occupied
four weeks.
Mataaia sent a hundred natives from
his camp aud required them 20 render
whatever assistance they were able. The
Trcnton's band was on the ground every
day accompanying the men In their work,
Finally the entire battery was placed in a
vacant lot ON a piece Of masonry which
was the original foundation OF tile Gov
crnmcnt building erected In the time OF
King Malictoa, whom the Germans after
wards carried 10 Mulinnu when they
made Tamascse King The removal OF
the guns, which, with the carriages,
weighed over n hundred tons, did not seem
20 tighten the Trenton In the least and no
effort was made 10 pump her out IL Is
the intention 90 remove the Nandalia'H
, battery. Her guns are several feet under
water. The safes Of the Trenton aud Van.
daia were recovered. Half dozen native
divers have worked faithfully ON the Van
dalia every day during the six weeks, and
hundreds Of dolllrs worth OF stores have
been saved by them. When the NipsIc
was hauled of, few DAYS after the
storm, II WIS found that she had been
damaged considerably by pounding on the
beach for twenty.i0ur hours. Her en-
gincs and boilers had been sprung, and she
leaked little. Admiral Kimberly or
dcrcd temporary repairs made at once. his
intention being 10 send the vessel 10 Auck-
land. One or two officers made consid-
cradle objection about going 90 sea In the
Nipsc, and declared openly that sho was
unsafe Admiral Kimberly then ordered
Capt. Mullan 10 instruct his officers not
10 aay anything more about the unsafe
condition Of the Nipsic. About the time
that the temporary repairs were
completed, the steamer Mawhcra,
belonging to the Union Steamship Com
pany, OF New Zealand, arrived at
Apia iromAuokland, andAdmiral Kimberly
made contract with the agent OF tho
company TO convey the Nipsic II was
thought that Il would take twelve or NJ.
teen days TO make the trip. Capt. Mullan
was accordingly given orders 10 80 10
Auckland and have the Nipsio repaired
and then return with the vessel 10 Pago-
Page. The ruddcr, which had been made
for the Nipsic, was q largo blade. which
was dragged aslern Of the vessel and
moved from side TO side by means o.
tackle fastened to the two ends Of the spar
laid across tho after part Of the poop deck,
extending out several feet on each side Of
the ship. The British inan-of.war Rapid
had arrived from New Zealand few days
before and the NipSie passed close 10 her
bows ms she went out Of tho harbor. The
men on the Rapid returned a cheer which
the American flagship had given the Cali.
opo az tho latter vessel steamed out 10 sea
In the face Of the hurricane n month be.
fore. Tho band on the English man-oi-
war played "Auld Lang Sync," while the
Nipsic inen returned the cheer. The Nip
SIC had not clcarcdtho mouth Of lhe harbof