The national leader., 1889-04-20
THB DISASTER AT APIA.
STORY OF THE GREAT STORM OF LAST
MONTH.
WRECK OF TIE WAR SHIPS

under date Of March 80.
The most violent and destructive
hurricane ever known in the South
Pacific Ocean PASSED over the Samoan
Islands on the 10Th and 18th of March
and as result feet Of six war-ships
and ten other vessels were ground To
atoms on the coral reefs in the barber
or thrown on the beach in front of the
little city of Apia; and one hundred
and forty-two officers and men Of the
American and German navies sleep
forever under the reefs or lie buried in
unmarked graves thousands of miles
from their native lands.
THE WRECKED FRIGATEs.
The United States frigate Trenton,
flagship of the Pacific squandron,
which arrived at Apia from Panama
March IL, lies within stones throw
of the American Consulate, a total
wreck. The great hull of the magnifi-
cent vesse. which steamed into the
harbor few weeks ago rests on the
bottom, fast going to pieces. The
United States steamer Vandalia, which
arrived from San Francisco February
Trenton and the shore. Her shattered
fOremast and smoke-stack rise from
the water tC mark the spot where the
gallant vessel struck and lay for twelve
hours before the awful torrent of
water which swept four officers aud
thlrty-nine men from her decks and
rigging. Her commander, Captain @.
NJ. SchOonmaker was among the first
who perished in the waves. The other
officers who met their deaths we're Pay
master Frank II. Arms, Lieutenant
Frank Sutton, of the Marine Corps.
and Pay Clerk John Reach.
THE NIPsIC AFLOAT.
The United tates steamer Nipsic
lay IL r several days alongside the Van
dalia with her bow high on the beach
and within five feet of the water's edge.
The vessel, though badly damaged,
was hauled off a few days after the
storm and is the only war-ship in the
harbOr. Several of the officers and
crew are living aboard. All of the
Nipsic's officers are safe, but she lost
five men by the swamping of boat
and two others who jumped overheard
were also drowned. The three Ameri-
can men-of-War were swept ashore
almost at the same point.
HOW THE NIPSIC WAS FORCED UPON
THE CORAL REEF.
Just after the Adler struck the atten-
tentiOn of every one she was directed
towards the Nipsic. She was standing
off the reef with her head to the wind,
but the three anchors which she had
out at the time were not holding. The
steamer was bearing back towards the
point where the Eber went down. 1t
was only by most skiItul manage
ment that her officers and crew
were saved from the same fate
that befell the Eber. The Nipsic
also narrowly escaped destruction by
being run into by the Olga. and
it was blow which She received
from that vessel that finally sent
her ashore. The Nipsic had on all
steam 1t WAS possible for her to carry
and had just succeeded In getting clear
of the reef when the little schooner
Lilly got in her track and was cut
down. The Olga was bearing down on
the Nipsic at the time and the latter
vessel was trying to avoid collision
with the German when she struck the
Lilly. The schooner sank out or sight
in moment. The Nlpsic got well
away from the reef after she struck the
Lilly and her men had attached haw-
ser to heavy 8-inch rifle ON the for
ward deck and were preparing to hoist
the gun overheard to assist her anchors
when the Olga again bore down upon
her. The Olga struck the Nipsic amid
ships.
THE VESSEL BEACHED.
Captain NJ ullan was upon the bridge
at the time and remained cool and col.
lected during the dangerous moment.
The excitement on the Nipsic had
reached the highest pitch. Several
men stood by their posts nobly, but
many were demoralized and refused to
listed to orders. It was plain that in
another moment the Nipsic would be-
upon the reef and probably every man
on board would be lost. Captain Null
lin saw that any further attempt to
save the vessel would be useless, go
he gave the order to beach her,
which was done at once. Orders
were given to lower two boats.
Sailors jumped into one boat, but the
falls did not work properly. and before
the Loaf was lowered one end dropped.
The men we're thrown Into the water
and drowned. The other boat, C n
tanning e. z. Derr, the ships surgeon,
and half a dozen sick men, were low
cred in safety, but it capsized before it
reached the shore. All Of the men half
swan, half foated until they came
within reach of the native, who were
standing waist deep in the surf, when
they were pulled out on the beach.
Many others were rescued by line