The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-04-02

come from the north, travelling south and
southwest from the equator, and sweeping
with tremendous force into the harbor of
Apia. If the signs characteristic OF the
approach of a hurricane were observed,
long feathery cirrus clouds, thickening
veil of cirrus clouds and fiery tints at dawn
and sunset would be seen. No doubt
all possible precautions were taken
to ride out the storm at anchor.
The center of the hurricane, however,
must have passed directly over or very
near the harbor, and in the case of very
severe tropical cyclone, as this must have
been, absolutely nothing can resist its fury.
THE SAILING DIRECTIONS FURNISHED
to all naval vessels state that in the vi
entity of the Samoan islands, the southeast
trades blow steadily from May to NoVem-
Der, during which time the weather is
pleasant with occasional showers OF rain.
From November to May the trades are FIRE
quently interrupted by northerly and
westerly winds and gales, with heavy rain
accompanied by thunder and Tightening.
Destructive hurricanes are experienced at
long intervals, and in April 1880 and July
1870 the entire island was devastated COM
pletely destroying the
CoCoANUT, BANANA AND BREAD FRUIT
crop, and reducing the natives, for several
weeks. almost to starvation. Although
not very frequent at Samoa, they
are frequent between that point and
the Tongo group and scarcely season
passes without one occurring. All officers
are also informed that earthquakes occur
occasionally, but as yet have not caused
much damaged. March 26, 1883 all OF the
vessels that were in Apia harbors and in
the vicinity of Upolo Island except one
small schooner, were driven out to sea and
lost. This was supposed to be the result
of number of heavy waves, caused by
earthquakes.
ANAvAL OFFICER REMARKED
today that our vessels and the German
ones were lust like rats in a hole. There
is nothing in the character Of our fleet to
justify the belief that any other vessels
could have Weathered the storm. The
Trenton, Vandalia and Nipsic belong to
the best type of the old ships of the war.
They are all staunch and well built. The
Trenton was built in 1877 and IS OF 500
tons. The Vandalia was originally built
in 1872 and rebuilt in 1856, while
the Nipsic was built in 1873 and
rebuilt in 1879. The Trenton was con
sidered the best vessel of her class, and
her model was regarded by experts as an
almost perfect. The impression that the
vessels went down because they were weak
and old would be entirely erroneous,
hardly any vessel, probably, could weather
such hurricane as that of the 10Th inst,
neither an iron clad nor a wooden one.
The German iron clads which are now on
their way TO Samoa are not expected to
reach there before the middle of May. We
can concentrate half dozen vessels there
within few weeks. The Monongehala is
due April -, with stores and there are two
ships repairing at the Mare Island navy
yard The Adims and lroquOiS, recently
returned from the Pacific station, have
been at the ward for some time
and are now nearly ready. Although moth
ing definite has been agreed upon, orders
were telegraphed the commandment of the
yard to day to expedite the work on both
ships. and they can be ready for sea inside
of the next twenty days.
Work on the IrOquois is much more ad-
Vanced than on the other ship, and she
could be gotten ready even sooner. The
only vessel in commission on the Pacific
coast that is available is the AIohican, sta
toned at Panama This ship has recently
been rebuilt at the Mare Island navy yard,
and it will be remembered exchanged
officers with the Vandalia when the latter
shipwas ordered to Samoa. This was done
on account of so many of the officers and
crew of the latter vessel having served
their sea quota in that squadron who were
replaced by officers newly arrived on the
station.