New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-13
THE TRENTON'S GUNS SAVED.
EFFCRTs TO RECOVER THOSE OF THE VAN
DALIA
AN ATTEMPT TO SAIL THE NIPs1o FOUND TO BE
USELESs-ADMIRAL KIMBERLY coUNT4
ING THE COST OF KEEPING THE

ING THE Cosr OF KEEPING THE
CREWS IN APIA.
Copyrighted By the FORK Assosatsd P7ea 1889.
Apia, Samoa, April 27-The little town Of Apia has
had the appearance Of camping ground In the last few
weeks. Since the hurricane occurred, March 16
| in which six menoi war and other vessels
wrecked driven ashore there have been people
living here than before the history Of the place
| Nearly all the survivors Of the three German war
| ships have gone 10 sydney, and the 900 American
sailors who composed the ere, Of the Trenton and
Vandaia, have been waiting for steamer TO be
to Apia 30 take them to San Francisco. The great
confusion which was apparent Immediately after
the storm, subsided in few days. Tho tents, which
had been hastily constructed out Of sails and light
spars, made comfortable possible, and the
officers and settled down TO the daily routine work
OF saving everything that could be takon OF the
wrecked vessels. The quarters OF the Trenton and
Vandalla about 200 yards apart. The ohceTs
and men Of the Vandas are In more destitute con-
dton than those Of any other vessel They lost
everything when the ship went down, and we're pro
vided with clothing and other necessaries from Che
stores saved from the Trenton, Npoc, and also from
such articles as could be purchased ashore. BY tho
| death OF Captain Schoonmaker, the command Of the
| Vandala's devOlved upon Lieutenant J. W.
Cartn Tie has had only three watch officers to assist
him, Leutenants Culver and Heath and Ensign Glib
| bons. Passed Assistant Engineer Webster has been
by tho death of Paymaster +. IL Arms
The condition OF the Trenton and the Vandala has
not changed much in the last month Both vessels
are complete wrecks. The hull Of the Trenton Is
several feet above the water and her and rig
ging are st standing but she IS hard and fast the
bottom with her stern resting against hs rect Tho
Vandara Is entirely under water with the exception
Of her forecastle and few feet Of rail around the
poop deck The German cruiser Adler is sul upon
her beam ends on the reef with immense hole torn
In her bottom. The Kber lies at the bottom Of The
bay with few loose Spars floating the surface.
considerable quantity Of clothing and provisions
saved from the Trenton IN the first few days after the
storm and all the machine guns tho spar deck
were also taken ashore. Divers were sent down D
examine the hun Of the flagship but owing 70 the
dangerous under-currents, they not able 10
certain the full extent Of her injury. One or two
great holes have been found below the warer-luc,
however which render It Impossible to float the vessel
Admiral Kimberly decided 20 remove her heavy bat
terry, not only 70 save the but also In tho hope
Of tightening the vessel and pumping her out The
work Of removing the battery occupied four weeks
Mataafa sent hundred natives from his camp
and required them TO render whatever
assistance they able to give Tho
TTenton6 band vas on the ground every day accom-
panying the men In their work. Finally the eAtiro
battery was placed IN u vacant lot on a peoe OF
masonry, which the original foundation of the
Government building erected In the time of King
Malietoa and which the Germans atterwad carried To
Mulnnu. when they made Tamasess King The re
moval OF the guns which, with the carr ages weighed
over hundred tons. did not 20 lighen the Trcn
ton In tho least, and effort made 70 pump her
out 1t is the Intention 20 remove the Vandalia'S
battery. Her guns arc several teet under
The safes Of the TrcOtOn and Vandaa were recovered
Half dozen native divers have worked faithfully
tie Nandala every day for SIX weeks, and hundreds
of dOlars' worth OF have been saved by them.
When the Ntpsic was hauled of, a few days after
the storm. It found that she had been damaged
considerably by pounding the beach for twenty four
hours. Her engines and boilers had been syrun=
and she leaked a lirale. Admiral Kimberly orderd
temporary repairs made AZ once his Intention being 10
send the vessel u Auckland One or two officers
made considerable objection about Gon- 20 in the
Ei2Slc. and declared openly hai she ua,afc.
Admiral Kimberly then ortored Captain Mullan t.
ttsuruct his officers not to say anything moc
about the unsafe condition Of tho Nipsic About
the thai the temporary repairs
completed the Mawhera belonging % tho Union
Steamship Company, OF New,Zeaand, arrived at Apia
from Auckland, and Admiral Kimberly made a
with tho agent Of tho company 10 convoy the Npsc.
1t thought that would take twelve fifteen days
10 make the trip. Captain Mullan was accordingly
given orders to go 10 Auckland and have the Npsc
paired, and then return with the vessel To
Pagopago The rudder which had been made for
the NIpac was large blade, dragged
astern Of the vessel and moved from side 10 side BY
means OF tackle fastened the ends Of tho spar
laid the after part Of the poop deck extending
out several feet each side OF the ship. The British
man of war Rapid had arrived fOm NewZeaand fow
days before and the Npsc passed close her bows as
she went out Of the harbor. The the Rapid re-
turned cheer which the American flagship had given
the Callope the latter vessel steamed out to in
the face of the hurricane month be-
fore. The band on the Englishman played
Aud Lang Syne," while the NpSc men
returned the cheer. The Nipsc had not cleared the
mouth of the harbor when the starboard end Of tho
spar TO which was attached the steering tackle,
weakened. A sharp squall came up. long line
OF reefs lay off the starboard quarter. The heavy
strain In trying 70 head her 10 sea was TOO much,
aud in FIVE minutes the port end OF the spar broke
away and Il, siesrpg apparatus vas useless The reef
stopped and the Npsc was adrift without rudder;
By prompt OF a few sails, the vessel swung around
with her head toward the sea- when She steamed a
full speed TO q position two miles OF the reefs and
the Mawhers soon came out and towed the Nipsic into
the harbor, where She again came 10 anchor. 1t was
found useless 10 make any further attempt TO so 10
Contract vito the aawhera was cancelled and tho
latter vessel sailed for Auckland alone. Admiral
the HipSic 10 Auckland Just another rudder
could be made lie said the ship was sound and could
The frst news from Lieutenant Wilson, who was
sent TO Auckland to procure steamer to take The
British msn;ot.gar Rapid which arrived rived from New,
hSm G AP 10 he s na SR Sesn as 9oe1 IN %
cure steamer in Auckland, and going 70 sydney
tof purpose lie also btktcu that ne ban nedlu
that the Oceanic Steamship Company, whose main
oihce is In San Francisco had at the request Of tho
Navy Department ordered the steamer Marposa 10
stop at ApiA April 10, and take 300 men 10 san
Francisco. Lieutenant Wilson had called upon the
agents OF the oceanic Company In Auckland but they
Knew nothing OF this report and he did not believe
the Martposa could take away any sailors. all her
accommodations had been engaged by passengers going
70 san Francisco from sydney and Auckland Ad.
mlra Kimberly said q am exceedingly anxious TO
get the Trenton and Vandalia TO San Francisco
soon as possible They being kept here now at a
heavy expense am paying $3.50 week for the rent
OF balraeks and I'll 10 day for the board Of each man
This is only snan part Of the expense. The bills
have been accunulating every day, and have ap.
pointed number OF boards 70 examine the various
claims which have been presented. The whole
affair has CAUSED me much annoyance and 7 want
TO get the men from here. The information