The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-04-01
The Eber Was First to Drag Her Anchors and
Strike the Reef Where She Sank Almost
Immediately, with Nearly ALI on Board.
Adler, Vandalia and Trenton Followed,
and the Nipsic Struck on aSand-Bank.
ServiaMay Yet Become the Battlefield for the
GreatArmies of Europe Emperor Fran
els Joseph III and KOSSuth Dying.
Additional Particulars of the Loss of the Van
dalia, Trenton, Eber and Adler.

Additional Particulars of the Loss of the Van
dalia, Trenton, Eber and Adler.
LONDON, March 31.-Further particulars
of the disastrous storm at Apia have just
been received. The hurricane burst upon
the harbOr suddenly. The German man-of-
war Eber was the first vessel to drag her
anchor. She became unmanageable, and
was driven helplessly on the reef which
runs around the harbor. She struck broad
side on, at 6 o'clock in the morning. The
shock caused her to lurch and to stagger
back, and she sank in q moment in deep
water. Most of her men were under
matches, and scarcely soul of them escaped.
The German war ship Adler was the next to
succumb. She was lifted bodily by gi-
gantic wave and cast ON her beam ends on
the reef. A terrible struggle for life en-
sued among the officers and sailors aboard
Many plunged into the raging surf and
struck out. some reaching the shore in
safety; others clung to 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.
Meantime the United States steamer Nip
sic had been dragging her anchors and
drifting toward the shore. The captain.
however, managed to keep control and ran
her on O sand bank. Boats were immedi-
ately lowered and the whole company were
saved, with the exception of six men.
These were drowned by the capsizlng of a
boat.
The United States steamer Vandalia was
carried before the gale right upon the reef.
She struck with terrible shock, hurting
the captain against Gatlin gun, and he
fell stunned. Before he could recover q
great wave swept the deck and washed
him and others away into the sea. The
vessel sank fifty yards from the Nlpslc, and
several of the officers and men went down
with her. Others perished while making
desperate efforts to swim to the shore.
Some of the ships company tried to save
themselves by clinging to the rigging, but
heavy and swift-running waves dashed
over them, and one by one they were swept
away.
By this time night had set in. Many
natives and Europeans had gathered ON the
shore, all anxious to render assistance to
the unfortunate crews, but, owing to the
darkness, they were wholly unable to be OF
service.
| American war ship Trenton broke from hel
anchorage and was driven upon the wrecL
of the Fandalia. 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 hitherto with
stood the gale, although much battered by
the heavy seas that constantly broke upoI
her, became unmanageble and was driver
| upon the beach, where she lay in q tolerably
i favorable position. The following is
| record of the officers and men lost:
| Eber-The captain and all other officer
| except one, and seventy-six men.
VandaSia-The captain, four officers ant
| forty men.
Nipsic-Seven men.
Adler-AltOgether fifteen persons.
Mataafa sent number of his men to th,
assistance of the wrecked ships, and they
rendered splendid aid in trying to float th,