Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-04-15

was inevitable. The Olgss bow struck the
Trenton on the quarter, opening the large
breach and doing other damage, and the o.
ga,s bow was smashed AfCer the vessels
Cleared each other the Trenton drifted still
further toward the reef and one time held
fairly we'll to her anchors, bat at S o'clock
she dropped down just clear of the reef and
on the Vendalis. Tine Crenton'5 stern was
aground. She was brosdside on the sunken
vessel, and the poor fellows who had been
on the Vandalia's yards about - hours got
or to the Trenton, being assisted by the I'D
m:raI's crew with lines and other cortriv
ancss. The Trenton lies within stones
throw OF the American consulate, total
wreck. The Vandaia is buried out of sight
between the Trenton and the shore. The
Nipsic lay for several days alongside
the Vandalia with her bow high on
the beach apd within five feet OF the
waters edge. The vessel, though badly
damaged, was hauled off few days after
The storm, and is the only war ship silaat in
the harbor. Tne three American men of
war were swept ashore almost al the same
point.
The men -oi-war which were anchored in
the harbor were necessarily close together.
The vessels nearest to the shore were the
Eber and Nipsic. The Eber was directly
in front of the American consulate, about a
quarter OF n mile from the shore, and the
Nipsic WAS about 200 yards east of the
Eber. The Adler was just ahead OF the
Nipsic, and the Olga and Callope were
ahead of the Eber. The Vandaia was be
yond the Cailiope mile of shore. The
Trenton was the LAST of the war ships TO
arrive here, and being much larger than
any other man-of-war in the bay, there was
no room for her near shore go she was
obliged to drop anchor beyond the Wanda
liza. lust within the outer coral reef. The
sailing craft were in shallow water west OF
the men of wdr. The Trenton and Wanda
liza had the most dangerous berths in the
barber, while the position of the Nipsic was
considered safe
The vessels all had ful heads of steam on and
three or four anchors cut. Their yards and top
masts were down, and every precaution was taken
to ensure the safety of the ships; but the wind
constantly shifted from northeast to northwest
The force was so great that the vessels dragged
their anchors ali over from one side of the bay to
tho other and came into collision dozan times
Tremendous seas broke over the decks, and tor.
rents of water rushed down the hatchways and
put out the fires.
Tho merchant vessels which were wrecked were
principally small craft. Ncsrly all of them were
thrown on the reef near tho wreck OF the Ador
but one or two of them escaped with slight dam
age One of these was schooner belonging to the
German Trading Company, and she was made
ready at once to serd to Tutulla to meet the
Ocesnic Steamship Company's steamer Maripos'
from San Francisco, so that news of tho disaster
could be forwarded to Auckland and from there
cabed to Europe and America.
Ont of seventeen vessels which were moored in
the harbor only two small schooners remained
shost and these were badly damaged.
Although 146 men lost their lives during the
storm there have not boon moro than forty bodies
recovered. The divers have made an examination
of Tho Nipsic, and have discovered that her kee
| WAS badly injured