The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-14

In the binding storm. watching the great
vessels pitch about on the waves or drift on
70 the total distraction against the reefs.
The sea broke upon the reef with roaring
sound aud washed fsr up on the beach. cnr-
ryins with Il great quantities Of wrcckage.
THE wATcuERs o. SHORE
were submerged time after timc, and many
were injured by the floating wrcckngr.
Great clouds Of sand filed the air and cut
face and body like knife. Every one was
drenchcd with the rain, but stood shiycring
in the storm PREPARED 10 render whatever
assistance might be possible Tho ma
tiycs wadcd far out into the surf
where white man could not live,
and many a life was saved through their e.
forts. Americans aud Germans were treated
alike. No thought was given 90 the state Of
war existing between the Germans aud
themselves and the men who fought the
Germans az NailcC a few months before now
battlcd with the waves aud riskcd their own
lives 10 save their enemies from q wntcry
grave. The storm ngcd furiou,ly for nearly
two days, and when the wind finally aba'cd
the scene of destruction was awful On the
shore houses were unrooicd aud blown down
and trees and fences were thrown across the
streets 10 that paNag, was almost blocked.
Out Of ofscycniccn vessels which were moorcd
Ia the harbor only two small schooncrs re-
manned ailoat aud these were badly dam
aged.
THE SURVIVORS or the DISASTER SEEMED
DAZED.
They had seen friends aud comrades swept
away from their grasp and ~ down 90 thcir
death, and expccsd 10 follow them NJ every
wave broke over their IN fatcd vessels. Long
exposure had rendered them weak aud cx-
hnustcd. Very few had tasted food for
thirty-slN hours. Many had clung 20 the
rigging without particle of clothing and
all bore marks Of terrible suffering. The
houses Of Apia were thrown open, and both
native and foreign residents did all in their
power 10 accommodate the shipwrcckcd
sailors.
AHA HARBoR,
where the frightful accident occurred, Is n
little scmicifclo bay, situated ON the north
crn side Of the Island OF UpaluS The dis
tnncc across the entrance Of the bay II about
ircc miles A coral reef, most Of which IL
ilsiblo NJ low water extends In front of the
larbor, but " broken for a distance Of three
auaricrs oi a mile, about half way between
Naiula Point on the east aud Mulinua 20 MT
dn the west This break IN the reef forms a
fptcway for ships 10 enter the harbor. The
pace within this reef whore ships can lie at
llirbor Is very small as there Is shoal Of
90 Dimensions in the eastern part Of the
bty aud the western portion Is obsiructcd by
another coral reef. which i located from 300
a. 100 ynrtls Of shore and extends almost
frpm the western extremity Of the bay 30 n
point directly iu front of the American con
sulntc, which Il situated near the middle of
the crosccnt-fhapcd town II was on this
inner reef that most Of the vessels were
wrecked, as the wind blew into the haTbor
from the opon sea and forced them back
against H. The water In the open space be.
tween the outer reef on the north aud the
inner reef and shoals on the west south and
east Il very deop, but the space IL not capa.
bic Of accommodating with safety the mum
Der Of large vessels which were lying in the
harbor when the storm commenced. There
Is no holding ground at the bottom of the
bay, and II la, been no uncommon thing
for vessels 10 drag their anchors whenever a
stiff breeze would spring up.
ANOTHER GREAT DfsADyASrAoE
which the harbor possesses IA the rapid cur.
rents which shoot about In several directions,
the velocity Of which was greatly increased
by the immense volume Of water ompiying
into the bay from several rivers. Tho prin-
cipal ono OF these currents rushed along
shore. past the point where the American
vessels struck 100 yards further west II
was met by roaring torrent OF water pour
ing out Of the mouth Of the Naisigano River
The consequence was that whirlpool was
formed at the mouth oi the river aud a
dozen men tossed overheard from the
Vaudalla were swept down 10 this point,
| only 10 be whirlcd round IN the water for a
moment and then be forced out into the
lbay. The men.Of.war which were anchored
In The harbor were necessarily very close 10.