Connecticut western news., 1890-02-19
STORM AT SAMOA.

O1ONM Al OAWOA. e FEARFUL STRUGGLE WITH THE
 ELEMENTS.
 The Fortunes of the Vandalia. Trenton
 and Oalliope. <
 The Vandalia and Calliope also were in dangerous positions, bearing back toward the reef near u e point where lay the wreck of the Adler. G ca: waves were tossing the two vessels, about, and they were coming closer together every minute. The Vandalia attempted to cam away, but in doing SO a collision occurred. The iron prov of the Englishman was lifted high in tn, air and came down with. full force upon the port quarter of the Vandalia. The jib-boom of the Calliope was carried away, and the heavy timbers of the Vandalia were shivered. Every man who stood up on the deck of the Vandalia near the point of collision was thrown. from his feet by the shock. Ns
 A hole was torn below the rail, and water rushed into the cabin. It was impossible .to ascertain, the extent of the damage at the moment, but it seemed as if the Vandalia had received her. death blow. Men rushed up the matches in the belief that the steamer was sinking. but they afterward re- turned to their posts. Just after this collision, Capt Kane, of the Calliope, determined to make an effort to steam out of the harbor, as he saw that to re- main in his present position would lead to another collision with the Van- dalia or throw his vessel upon the reef.
 He accordingly gave orders to let go all anchors. The Calliope's head swung around to the wind and her en- zines were worked to their utmost power. The steamer seemed to stand still for moment, and then the rapid ly revolving propollor had it's effect, for the vessel moved up slowly against the great waves which broke over her bows and flooded her decks from stem toestern. Clouds of black smoke pour ed from her funnel as more coal was thrown into the furnaces. Everysten- sion was strained in her heroic struggle against the storm. She seemed to make her headway at first inch by inch, but her speed gradual y, increased until it became evident that she could clear the harbor. - e...=
 This maneuvre of the gallant Brit ish ship is regarded as one of the most daring in naval annals It was the one desperate chance offered her com- mander to save his vessel and the three hundred lives aboard. An accident to the machinery at this critical moment would have meant certain death to all. Every pound of steam which the Cal Hope could possibly carry was crowd ed on, and down in the lffre-rooms the men worked as they never worked be- fore. Tosclear the harbor, the Cal | Hope had to pass between the Trenton and the reef, and it required the7most lskillfm aeamanslaipt te avoid ascoll liai6n with the Trenton, on the one hand, or total destruction upon the reef, on the other.
 The Trenton's fire had gone out by that time, and she lay helpless almo. t in the path of tho Calliope. The doom of the American flagship seemed but a question of few hours. Nearly every man aboard felt that his vessel must soon be dashed to pieces, and that he would find g grave under the coral reef. The decks of the flagship were swarm l ing with men, but, facing death as they were, they recognized the heroic struggle of the British ship, and as the latter passed within a few yards of them 8 great shout went up from over four dredimenaboard the Trenton.
 tsThree cheers for the Calliope l" was the sound that reached the ears of the British tars as they passed out of the harbor in the teeth of the storm and the heart of every Englishman went out to the brave American sailors who gave that parting tribute to the l Queens ship. .-.. ..-, | A well-known London Journal after ward remarked, ''The cheer of the Trenton's men was the expression of an immortal courage. It was, dis tressed manhood greeting triumph ant manhood, the doomed saluting the saved." The English sailors returned the Trenton's cheer, and the Calliope passed safely out to sea, returning when, the storm had abated.
 Capt. Kane, her commander, in I speaking of the incident afterward said: s.Those ringing cheers of the American flagship pierced deep into my heart, and I will ever remember that mighty outburst of fellow-feeling which, felt, came from the bottom o1 the hearts of tho gallant Admiral and his men. Every man on board the Calliope felt as did it made us work to win. can only say, God blest America and her noble sailors P"- John P. Dunning, in St. Nicholas fol February. :.