The record-union., 1898-11-12

NASSAU IN. P.), Nov. 1f-Wreck-
ers have brought stores from the
stranded vessel off Cat Island, which
Establishes beyond a doubt that she is
the Maria Teresa. AS the vessel is
rocked upon as being a derelict. the
Wreckers claim the right to seize the
stores which can be saved They re-
port that the water is up to her be-
tween decks; that she has a list to
starboard, which side is damaged. and
that she is diSmantled. The vessel lies
between two reefs, on a smooth bot
tom, and has her anchor out
The British Admiralty authorities
here are going to take possession of
the Maria Teresa as a derelict The
American Consul has protested against
this course, claiming everything less
the salvage.
The steamer Antillia is Zaving here
for Cat Island with customs officers
and police on board.
Opinions differ as to the chance of
saving the cruiser Although she has
been aground since Thursday, the
Maria Teresa rests in an easy position
and the weather is moderate
TITLE OF UNITED STATES UNIM-
PAIRED.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-THE Off
Gals at the Navy Department were in
tSrested in the news from Nassau
Identifying clearly the steamship lying
off Cat Island as the Maria Teresa.
The legal status of the vessel has been
considered curSorily, and in the opin-
ion of the department the title of the
United States to her is unimpaired.
Notwithstanding that it was necessary
to abandon her for a time.
There may be some question involved
as to the payment of salvage to the
Bahama fishermen, but that depends
in a large measure on what they have
done If they have simply been loot
ing the vessel, then not only are they
not entitled to salvage, but the goods
stolen may be recovered On the other
hand, if it was the fishermen who an
chored the ship in smooth water, and
if they made any sendeavor to bring
her in, probably they would have a
good claim for salvage.
The vessel, however is not subject
to detention on this account, interna-
tional law exempting national vessels
from seizure on any score in time OF
peace In such case the salvorS might,
after allowing the vessel to proceed.
present their claim to the Government
of the United States through the diplo-
matte representatives of the British
Government
From the account received it is feared
that the damage to the vessel sus-
tanned through the storm and probable
pounding upon the coral reefs outlying
Cat Island, added to the injuries re-
ceived by the ship in action when she
was sunk originally, are sufficient to
render her entirely valueless. Nothing
but an experts examination can de-
termine this point, but as the Merritt
experts are already on their way to
Cat Island that question will soon be
decided
The, Navy Department has. decided
that court of inquiry shall be held
to determine whether the abandon
ment of the Teresa at sea was justi-
fable. and, if not who was responsible
The detail for the court has not yet
been announced, nor indeed has the
court been formally appointed, for It
cannot take the testimony necessary
to elicit the facts until the wreckerS
who have gone to Cat Island return
with an account of the conditions they
foun6 aboard the Teresa. The report
that the water in the hull was up be-
tween decks. taken in Connection with
the fact that the vessel was rolling
when abandoned, is believed to make
out a very favorable case for the peo-
pie aboard the Teresa, unless 1t IS
shown that this volume of water was
admitted through injuries sustained ON
the. reef after the vessel was aban-
doned.