Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-20


on the eastern side an undertow cur
rent seemed to carry US along the reef,
and keep US Just clear OF striking. Thus
we came on to where the Vandalia was
living, and it was evident that our stern would
soon strike against her port side. AS we APP
preached her. rockets were fired carrying lines
with the hope of rescuing people on her masts.
This proved very successful and the men from
the main and mizzen were rescued first. Soon
after we struck the Vandalia with violence and
her main and mizzen masts went by the board
We then swung gradually and settled into a
position alongside of her, just touching the
bottom, and our stern grazing
SMALL WRECK AND THE REEF
The men were rescued from the foremost of
the Vandalia, and thence on during the night
we continued to beat the bottom and against
the Vaudalia with great force
The wind during this Saturday night blew
with hurricane force, squall following squat
with hardly any appreciable interval. The
seas however, were not so high as they were
further out and we got through the night with
out additional serious misfortune.
Just before daylight the flagship was visited
by two boats manned entirely by natives who
carried lines to the shore This was dangerous
work owing to the darkness. to the sea and
current, to the reefs and wreckage. and to the
dlfhculty of approaching the Trenton on ac-
count of the Vandalia's wreck.
The men were kept at the pumps and buck
cts without cessation, with a view to hauling
of the ship if possible and keeping her afioat
when the gale abated. In the morning the
wind moderated. 1t was then ascertained that
the propeller was missing. The ship had set
tied hard on the bottom and the water could
not be reduced 1t was up to the engine-room
platform and rising. Under these circum-
stances. and in the absence of any docking
facilities or marine-railway appliances and pow
erful pumps, the Abandonment of the ship
became necessary. Stores were gotten up as
rapidly as possible. and the people got their
effects ashore. Immediately thereafter the
crew were set to work getting out and saving
from her everything possible. On Monday the
water was up to her gun-deck, and she had set
tied a little on her port side. On Tuesday she
had settled more to port and was still lower in
the water.
THE vANDALIA Is COMPLETELY SUBMERGED,
only her foremost and head-booms showing
above the water. The Nipsic is lying in about
feet of water at low tide (rise and fall about
feet. She would probably have to be hauled
stern some 500 feet to float her at high tide
She has lost her smoke-plpe, also her rudder
and her propeller is badly damaged. Her crew
remain on board, and she keeps her biges free
of water by the steam-pump. have ordered
a board to investigate at once the possibility
of saving the Nipsic and to further inves-
tlgate and report upon all circumstances
connected with the loss and damage of the
will be forwarded by the first opportunity after
its receipt by me. The crews of the Vandalia
and Trenton are in barrack Oh shore The
Calliope steamed into the harbor this morning
showing signs of having experienced heavy
weather. She goes to Sydney as soon as
possible for repairs, and through the
Kindness of Captain Kane her diving out
fit has been turned over to us, and it will
be of great assistance in saving stores. | COM
mend their services to the department and
trust they will be regarded as worthy of recog-
milton. Lieut. Wilson goes to Auckland to re-
port catastrophe to the department by cable
and to charter a steamer to take to San Fran
cisco the Nandallas crew and others of the
squadron who are sick and disabled BY the
Calliope | send duplicate despatch to sydney
to be forwarded by the U. S. consul to the de-
partment
THE CASUALTIES.
regret to report the following loss of life:
On the Vandalia four officers and thirty-nne
men, viz: Capt. c. NJ. Schoonmaker, Paymaster
NJ. c., Pay Clerk John Roach, George
Murrage (B. NJ, Z. NJ. -
(seaman), George German (carpenter). NJ.
Craigin C. A. g., VIM. Brown first %. NJ,
L. q. Downey (pay. yoe.), B. F. Davis (eng.
yeo.), NJ; p. Joseph (eq, yeo.), N. G. Green
kins est. stew, c. f. G. Stanford dds, W.
Bresbane (cab. stew, Joseph Guffin DIST. c.
+. NJ Erickson 60. s.. Thomas Kelly end
c. F.; W. Howard &C. HI. c. P. Kratzel 90.
81, Thomas Riley Qds.), John Kelly GO. s.,
(sergt). Frank Lissman (sergt.), Michael
(corpl). H. G. Gedrins P. NJ. Adelph
Goidner (P. NJ, Frank Jones (P. NJ. George
Jordan OF. NJ, John Willfierd CP. NJ, Henry
Wixted (P. NJ. }. Aylmer Montgomerie (P. NJ J,
John Sims (P. NJ. }, g. II. Wells (P. NJ Chas.
hraus (P. NJ, All Kean (cab cook, All Packs
6. cook, Pen Dany Uds.), zee Hor CIV. r.
cook)
On the Nipsic. seven men. viz: Joshua Heap
app. George W. Callan (app.). Henry Petsee
kelieher &C. h., John Gill (sea }, Thomas John
son (cab. stew
On the Trenton: J. Hewlett (sea. was struck
on the head by the breaking in a of post and
died soon after.
CAPT. FARQUHAR's GOOD JUDGMENT.
During the entire time Capt. Farquhar
showed great care and good judgment in hand
ling the ship through this terrific gale and
never left the bridge. He was ably seconded
by his executive and navigating officers, who
did all IN their power to save the ship. In fact,
SO far as l could observe. all the officers be-
haved extremely well under the trying circum-
stances and performed their duties cheerfullv,
effectively. and as well as could be desired
This disaster | classify among the incidents and
accidents inseparahe from the prosecution of
duty. Its magnitude, however, gives it a dis
tinguishing feature. which fortunately the
service is rarely compelled to witness
Capt. Farquhar has demanded a court of
inquiry. No disinterested officers are available
here. l therefore respectfully refer the entire
matter to the department. and if further in
vestigation is deemed necessary 1 should be
pleased to have court of inquiry ordered
Admiral Kimberly also transmits special re-
ports from Lieut.. Carlin, surviving officer of
the Nandalia-Lieut. Farquhar, of the Trenton.
and Commander Mullan, of the Nipsic. each
detailing the circumstances connected with his