The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-04-25
KIMBERLY.
Report of the Admiral Command
ing the U. s. Naval Forces in
the South Seas.
Official Statement of the Samoan
Disaster and Behavior of
the Natives.

WASHINGTON, April 20.-The mornings
mail, delivered at the navy department
to-day, brought two letters from Admiral
Kimberly, referring to the wrecking of
the American feet at Apia. 1t is under
stood they were accompanied by long,
detailed report, but this he's not yet
reached the department.. The first letter
was dated Apia, March 10, and ad-
dressed:
"To the Secretary of the Navy: : Sir-I
have to commend to the government of
the United States the very great assist
ance we have received in saving public
property from our wrecked vessels at this
place from Mataafa, who, without any re-
quest on my part, called on me person
ally and sent me some hundreds of
his men to assist our people
in saving the stores and materials from
the wrecked vessels. Also when the Nip
sic and Vandalia went ashore the ma
tives rlsked their lives to save those of
our m en- who endeavored to reach shore by
swimming, and two of them lost their
lives in these attempts. If some reoogni-
ton of these services could be made
think it would be appreciated very highly
by the Samoans, particularly as they have
so generously given their services, and, in
two cases, their lives to befriend u.s."
Under date Of Apia, March 81, Admiral
Kimberly writes: "The Nipsic was got off
last night and is now afloat without rud-
der or rudder post, and her crew is en-
gagged in trying to get up her chains.
The Trenton is sunk in water coming
over the port side of her gun deck at high
water. think her back is broken. She
might possibly be freed from the water If
we had proper appliances, powerful steam
pumps, etc. She has no rudder or rudder
post or propeller. She lies alongside the
wreck of the Vandalia, which is shoreward
of her. The latter vessel is total wreck,
and broken in two. Only her foremost is
standing. We are intending to secure a
mooring for the Nipsic, and to wreck the
Trenton and Vandalia. Our sick and in
jured are doing WELL 1t will, perhaps, be
well to send wrecking vessel here later
in the season to save the TreIton's heavy
guns, ammunition, etc. | have received
from Captain Henry O. Kane, of the royal
navy, commander of the Calliope, diving
suit and apparatus, and will use it for all II
is worth. gave to the Calliope one
of our ten-osred cutters, but Captain Kane
did not consider it safe TO be here at this
season of the year. If can save the
Nipsic which can be done if the weather
permits, will send her under convoy to
Auckland and let her be docked and re-
paired. Another ship should be sent here
for the purpose of conveying her, as the
risk of an improvised rudder is too great
to send her there alone. 1 have still tt
learn of the condition of her machinery
and propeller, but shall be informed in
the course of few days. Very respect
fully your obedient servant.
al. A. KIMBERLY,
"Rear Admiral U. s. N. Commanding U. 8
Naval Forces Pacific Station"
KIMBERLY's REPORT.
WASHINGTON, April 20.-Admiral Kim
berly's detailed report just reached the
navy department and Secretary Tracy ii
looking it over.
Admiral Kimberly's official report to thu
secretary of the navy, dated Apia, Marcel
10, is in line with accounts of the Samoan
disaster already sent out by the Associ
ated Press, save references to official acts
of interest only to the dep artment.
$S
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