Evening journal., 1898-11-16
NO HOPE FOR TERESA
Ex-Spanish Cruiser Can't Be
Saved.
THE REPORT OF CAPTAIN M'CALLA
Finds the Abandoned Warship on Il
Coral Reef with Her Machin-
cry Ruined and Her Hui
Badly Punctured.


WASHINGTON. Nov. 1.-THE navy
department late last night received the
following cablegram from Captain Nc
Gala, dated Nassau, Nov. Is:
Arrived with Potomac and Vulcan
at scene Of wreck. On arrival took
charge of Teresa and hoisted flag. Aft
er careful examination Of stranded ship
and situation and careful considera-
ton Of instructions from department,
approaching the great interest taken
by nation and government in fate Of
Teresa, regret exceedingly to express
the opinion that it is hopeless to expect
to rescue the ship. Craven, Blow, Hob
son and Crittenden confirm my opin-
ion.
Wreck is stranded in from 16 to 21
feet with head TO northward. With
exception Of few feet astern and for
ward, where cut away, ship rests on
rocky reef, covered with coral sand
interpreted with powders, half mile
south of Bird point Line of reef ex-
tends outside of wreck, both to north
ward and southwark, ship having been
driven into slight indentation in reef
Surf from astern and outside of ship
continues between ship and shore: then
runs out slightly to point forward of
and outside ship again to northward.
Small passage thus left for small boats
to pass under stern to lee side.
In fairly good weather it would be
possible, l think, for small tug draw
ing ten feet of water in hands of very
sklllful seamen to pass close under
stern OF Teresa in smooth sea to make
fast to lee side for purpose of supply
ing power for wrecking pumps. If,
however, such vessel were caught in
side Teresa by storm, probabilities are
she would be swamped by seas or
thrown on reef Surf thus cuts off
communication between ship and shore
except certain stages of tide or when
there is very little sea running. During
heavy seas the breakers would also be
continuous outside ship
Passed Sunday on wreck, examining
carefully all compartments which were
not Hooded, as well as ships surround
ings, accompanied by Craven. who had
previously inspected Teresa, and Crit
tenden, who was perfectly familiar
with ship. Evidences show that after
striking reef mainmast was driven up
and broken off short below spar deck.
military top lying outside bilge under
port quarter. Seas had gone entirely
over her. The inner bottom generally
had been driven upward from ~ to 2
feet Patch on bottom abreast forward
turret had disappeared. Air ports had
been driven in and seas had entered
through them and gun ports on star
board side. Spar deck and Lighthouses
had been crushed in by seas after ship
struck. Large proportion of the lumber
in short pieces lying or floating below
berth deck.
"Tide rises and falls in ship below
protective deck abaft engine room bulk
head. Seas which now break over star
board quarter and enter through ports
keep water In that part of ship FIVE OF
six feet above line of that in engine
rooms and fire rooms. Pumps which
were erected by wrecking company on
forward and after ammunition HOSTS
/ and secured to berth deck beams have
been driven upward from Is to "a
/ inches. Both starboard and port en-
gines have been forced upward from IL
/ TO 2 feet and separated laterally by from
six to eight inches.
Best way to illustrate general condi-
ton of wreck is to say that the two sets
OF engines, boilers and their foundations
form part of reef ITSELF around which
rest of ship works literally and YER
tcally. Same effect would be produced
in my opinion if ship had settled on
pinnacle Of rock
Sunday trade wind was very light.
and there was little difficulty in APP
( preaching wreck from Vulcan. but com
munication with shore would have been
very difficult in boat at one stage of
tide. Can best describe condition of shin
generally by stating that she is already
talescoped, and my views by expressing
conviction that. as rivets are sheared
by the constant working of ship, the
tslescopic process must continue.
In considering practicability OF res
cuing Teresa, the fact must be consid-
cred that she lies upon coral reef, with
hut thin layer Of sand. on windward
side Of an island constantly exposed to
seas due to trade winds and to influence
Of many storms developing to eastward
or southwark. Character OF bottom
makes anchorage off eastern coast OF
island dangerous. Geographical posi-
ton permits force OF more or less mag
nltude to be constantly dislntegratine
ship. During gales or with very heavy
seas wreck would not be tenable foI
working parties. which would be Obliged
TO leave ship before communication
should be cut Off with ship anchored
outside or with shore inside.
Board of officers also examined and
reported yesterday upon question OF
rescuing the Teresa. This board con.
firms my report Should department de
tarmine to attempt float stranded ship
would recommend that expedition bC
based on Cat island. not from shiI
outside reef. and should be very pleased
% command any organization prepared
10 work on wreck. In addition TO turre
guns there are four inch guns on Te
resa taken from one OF the wrecked
ships and remounted in Guantanamo
Awaiting developments and further or
ders."
List of Dead Hnntcrs Grows.
WATERBURY,, Conn. Nov. 1s -pcte
Clary, a young man employe' as
molder in one Of the local brass foun