Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-28
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Admiral Kimberly n Let
ter Fraught with Comm cndntiOn.

IBy telegraph 10 the Dispatch.l
WAsHISGToN, April 27.-Secretary Tracy
to-day addressed letter TO Rear-Admiral
Kimberly, commanding the naval force al
Apia, Samoa. in which he says: "The de-
partment is IN receipt Of your cable dispatch
OF March 30th from Auckland, aud also OF
your letter OF March l9th from samoa, with
accompanying reports irou Captain Farqu-
bar. Commander Muhn, and Lieutenant
Carlin, pArratng the circumstances OF the
overwhelming disaster which has recently
beiallen your squadron in Apia harbOr.
need not say TO you that this event has
caused the department profound sorrow,
which, as the appalling extent and character
OF the catastrophe became known, was reflect
ed throughout the country Even IL the navy
were possessed OF an adequate number OF
ships TO supply the necessities OF the service,
the loss OF three at one bow would be
serious dIminutiOn OF the available cruising
force 10 navy passing as Is that CT the
United States, through the stage OF traDs-
ton. When most OF its previously existing
vessels have disappeared and IFS new feet
il only on the threshold OF existence the
blow came with gripping force. However
seyerely the destruction OF the vessels may
be felt by the navy. the loss OF so many
valuable lives - far greater and more ire
died. ~ be bad lived, at the post OF duly
a gallant aud generous officer and q devoted
servant OF his country. The last hurricane
at samoa has brought affection TO many
American households, y hiCh will receive the
deeDcSt sympathy Of the Government, yet
il cannot be SAID that those who died thus
maniully facing danger in the execution OF
their duty have died IA vain" The letter
then reviews the incidents OF the disaster as
recounted in the reports OF Admiral KIM
berry aud bis officers. and says; d" In reply
10 YOUR request and that OF Captain Far
quhar for the court OF inquiry, the depart
ment has to say that 10 deems such court
unnecessary. /. is satisfied that the officers
in command OF the ships at Apia did their
duty with courage. fidelity. and sound iudg-
ment. and that they were zeslously and 10y.
slly seconded by their subordinstcs; that
the hurricane which caused the destruction
OF tie vessels and the lOsS OF 50 many lives
was one OF those yisitations OF Providence In
the presence Of which human efforts are OF
little avail; that the measures actually taken
by yourself and the officers under you
were all that wisdom and prudence could
dictate, and that il was due TO these
measures that so large proportion or Inc
crews were saved; that one step when
might have aVerted the catasirOphe-namelY
10 have put TO sea before The storm had de-
yeloped-could only have been Justified IN
view OF the grave responsibilities resting
upon you at samoa bv the certainty OF over.
wb,lmlng danger 10 your fleet which could
no, then be ioreseeu; that you rightly decided
TO remain at YOUR post, aud that The
department. even in the face OF the
terrible disaster which 1t involved, APP
proves absolutely your decision, which
has set an example to the navy that
should never be forgotten. To convene
the court OF inquiry under these circum-
stances would seem TO imply doubt on the
part Of the department. where no doubt
exists; and instead Of ordering an inyesti.
CATION It tenders 10 you and through you
The officers and men OF your command its
svmp.thy for the exposure aud hardships
YOU have encountered and It's profound
thanks for the fidelity with which you per-
formed your duty in the crisis OF appall-
ing danger. Very respectfully,
"B. +. TRACY,
"Secretary OF the Navy"