The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-04-01
LOSS OF THE WAR SHIPS
A MORE DETAILED STORY OF THE
TERRIBLE DISASTER.

All the Vessels Dragged Their An
cbors and We're Dashed on the Reef
The Storm Burst a Very Sudden
One-Darkness Added to the Terrors
of the situation.
LONDON, March 31.-Further particulars
a. the disastrous storm at Apia have just
taa,, received. The hurricane burst upon
the barbor suddenly. The German man-of-
var Eder was the first vessel to drag her
anchor. She became unmanageable and
was driven helplessly on a reef which runs
around the harbor. She struck broadsde
o7 at o'clock in the morning. The shock
caused her to lurch and to stagger back,
and she sank in a moment in deep water
Most of her men were under the matches,
and scarcely a soul of them escaped.
DESTRUCTION OF THE ADLER.
The German war ship Adler was the next
70 succumb. She was lifted bodily by
gigantic wave and cast on her beam ends
on the reef A terrible struggle for life en-
sued emong the officers and sailors. Many
plunged into the raging surf and struck
out. some reaching the shore in safety.
Others chung 10 the rigging until the masts
fell OF those in the rigging only two
gained the shore. The captain of the Adler
and several other officers were saved.
FATE OF THE NIPsIC.
Meantime the United States steamer
Nipsic had been dragging her anchors and
drifting toward the shore The captain,
however, managed to keep control and ran
her on a sand bank Boats were immedi
stely lowered and the whole company were
saved, with the exception Of six men.
These were drowned by the capsiZng Of a
boat.
wRECKING OF THE VANDALIA-
The United States steamer Vandalia was
carried before tue gale right upon the reef
She struck with terrible shock, hurting
Capt Schoonmaker against a Gatliug gun
and he fell stunned. Before he could re
cover a great wave swept the deck and he
was washed away with others into the sea.
The vessel sank fifty yards from the Nipsic.
Several of the officers and men were washed
overheard and drowned. Others persisted
while making desperate efforts to swim to
shore Some remained for hours
in the rigging, but the heavy
and swift succeeding waves dashing over
them, carried them Off one by one. BY this
time night had set in. Many natives and
Europeans had gathered on the shore, all
anxious to render assistance to the unfor-
tunate crews, but, owing to the darkness,
they were wholly unable to be of service.
IiANlC END OF The IRHNIONs
Soon after the Vandalia had sunk the
American war ship Trenton broke from
her anchorage and was driven upon the
wreck of the Vandalia, whence she drifted
to the shore. The bottom of the Trenton
was completely stove and her hold was half
full Of water. AS morning broke the
German man-of-war Olga which had best
witbs ood the gale, although much battered
by the heavy seas that constantly
H. i
she was driven upon the beach, where she
lay in a tolerably fair position.
THE NUMBER OF LIVES LOST.
Following is a record of the officers and
men lost:
Eber-The captain and all the other of
fcers except one and seventy-four men.
Vandalia-The captain, four officers and
forty men.
Nipsic-Seven men.
Adler-Altogether fifteen persons.
Mataafa sent a number of men to the as
sistance Of the ships. They rendered splen-
did aid in trying to float the Olga.
vICToRIA's SYMPATHY.
WASHINGTON. March 3l-Queen Vic
tora cabl=d through Lord Salisbury
% the British legation IN this city
to-day, directing that her earnest
sympathy be expressed to the Prasi-
dent of tho United States on the
terrible naval misfortune at Samoa
aaI the deplorable loss of life.
Mr.. Edwards, the British charge,
accompanied by the Secretary Of
State, waited upon the President this after
neon at 3 O'clock aud read to him the
qu=en's message. In reply, the President
expressed his warm appreciation and that
Of the whole people of this country Of the
queens conslderate sympathy A more
/ raal reply to the queens message would
le made, the President said, through the
department of state.