The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-09
MARIA TERESA DIDN'T SINK.
THE SPANISH CRUISER REPORTED
ASHORE ON CAT ISLAND.

Merritt MrecI.ing Company sends
Can't, Chittenden to the scenc--gte-
pair ship vulcan 20 90 in SEARCH
of the DereIiet-Cart. CrOwnin-
shield Fully Credits the Report oe
the Vessel Deing AhOre-Wind ana
Wave Favored the Theory.
Norfolk, Va. Nov. S.-The Merritt
WreclSing Company has received infor-
nation that the Teresa is ashore at Cat
Island. Capt. Chlttenden viii leave with
the steamer Merritt al once.
Washington, Nov S.--A message receive
ed at The navy department to-day from
Capt. Crowninshield. chief OF the navI-
cation bureau who is in New York. called
attention to the report that the Spanish
cruiser Maria Teresa had been seen Oft
Cat Island. The captain expressed The be-
lief in the accuracy of the report and sug-
gesiod to the department that the repair
ship Vulcan, now at Norfolk be sent ,at
once TO make search for the derelict. The
department. acted immediately on the sug-
gesuon A telegram was sent 70 the com-
mandant of the Norfolk navy yard directs
/ ing him 10 place the Vulcan in command
of Capt McCaaa, the captain Of the yard.
ana send her with all dispatch 90 look
for the Teresa. \ similar order was
cabled to Capt. Converse at Guantanamo.
directing him TO send the big wrecking tug
Potomac from that place northward on he
same quest. She goes in charge Of conn
mander j. Il. Cravan, ana the Department.
believes that she viii be in the vicinity
of Cat island within thirty-six hours. The
Vulcan was one Of the vessels which was
towing the Teresa when she was supposed
to have foundered and the department. be-
iieves she viii reach the scene of The
wreck In about forty-eight hours after
leaving Norfolk.
Cat Island lies about thirty miles SOUTH
west Of the spot where the Teresa was
last seen, and IL Is said at the depart-
ment II the vessel did not founder out
right within few hours after having
been cut adrift she would almost certainly
have fetched up ON the shoal beach off Gao
Island, for the wind and tide set directy
| on that beach.
If So the location is much more favor
| able for saving the ship than the position
/ occupied by her off Santiago, where this
bottom was covered with rocks and the
wreckers worked al great disadvantage.
| Capt McCalla was selected for the task
| because OF his great energy and ability FOR
| this particular c.ass OF work, and the off,
| Gers declare that il any man can bring the
| Teresa into port he can.
! IL Is the belief of naval constructors
that the Teresa took water aboard al
most altogether through the decks aud
not through the hull as would appear
| from the first accounts of the loss Of the
/ ship. These decks were rude temporary
| constructions and We're entirely unsutaDla
! for rough weather. The fact that the
! reports Indicate that the ship settled by
/ the head and that water ran into the
coal bunkers and then into the fire rooms
/ goes to bear out the constructors theory.
! IT also tends to give color 20 the reporc
! that the ship may not have foundered at
once, but have drifted ashore on Cat ISL
and II Is presumed that the wrecking
company which had the vessel ln hand Will
take immediate steps 70 recover the ship,
! If possible, in order to secure the largo
/ salvage which was almost within it5
grasp when the ship was cast OFF,