The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-11-23
WISHED HER TO SINK
Second Officer of the British
Steamer AntiIIa
TALKS OF THE TERESA
ALL HER SQUARE PORT HOLES
LEFT OPEN.
CREW ANXIOUS FOR HER TO GO DOWN
This is Webber's Opinion and that of Others on
Cat Islands, he Claims. Thinks Ter
esa Will not 60 to Pieces
But Remain There.

Correspondence of Associated Press.)
Nassau, n. p, Nov. 22.-The cable
grams sent up to-day have given an out
line of the case of the Spanish cruiser
Maria Teresa. which went ashore in a
heavy gale at Bird Point. Cat Island. on
the afternoon of November Sd. BY this
first opportunity by mail, details are
forwarded.
At last advices the Maria Teresa was
still ashore with little probability of be-
ing gotten off. The gale that sent her
ashore was SO heavy that she was driven
far up the reefs and rests now rs solid
as a rock in twelve feet of water. the
water inside of her rising and falling
with the tide y very heavy surf is
pouring i'll on the reefs. rendering it
difficult to board her. The ships pet.
fine large cat, remains on board and no.
body can catch him. The ships flag,
which was flying when she stranded, II
well-worn American ensign, has been
brought to Nassau. and Consul McI1ain
insists on keeping it at the Consulate rs
II souvenir of the Spanish warship
which so pathetically sought a final rest
ing place on the very shores where Co
lumbuS nrSt landed.
The British steamer Antilla returned
from the wreck on Sunday and said
that it was impossible for her to accom-
pish anything. The surf was so heavy
that she could not get within a quarter
of mile of the Teresa, though drawing
but nine feet. Two gentlemen on board
managed to reach the Teresa in boat
but the surf was so strong they could
not return to the Antilla, and finally
reached the shore, where they were left
to return to Nassau by schooner.
The ship has been badly looted by the
negro natives of the vicinity, an ignorant
community, who generally believe that
all wrecks are Il present sent them by
the Lord, and to be gratefully accepted
and utilized accordingly.
Certain portions of the ships stores,
such as the heavy hawsers. ropes, tins
of machine oil. canned provisions, etc.
were taken off by local official and
forwarded to Nassau by small Schoon-
ers. This official. it is but fair to say,
did all he could to prevent the looting;
but did not succeed to any great extent
Immediately upon the arrival of these
articles at Nassau they were taken pos
session of by the Marshal of the Vice
Admiralty Court. on the ground that
the ship and contents We're derelict and
so belonged to the Colonial authorities.
The American Consul, Mr. Mclean
notified the Marshal that he considered
the articles salved to be the property of
the United States Government, and that
he should at the proper time. request
that they be released and handed over
to him. The question of ownership,
thus raised, is not likely to be settled at
once.
WEBBER'S STORY OF TERESA.
New York, Nov. 22.-The steamer An
tila is at present i'll this port. Her
second officer, Edward Webber, said to-
day that when the steamer was ut Cat
Island the Infanta Maria Teresa was
lying in about fifteen feet of water and
the surf was breaking over her. She
was lying easy and not on the rocks, bit
with her nose in the sand.
Had the surf not been so high ] he
lieye that we could have pulled mer of. -
said Mr.. Webber. Il questioned the
natives and learned from them that the
Maria Teresa first appeared in the off
ing about 8 O'clock in the morning. the
Thursday after she was abandoned.
toht lodC III EIditlully anu Hdu ,SUe
been brought in under skillful guidance
she could not have come ashore at Il
better place. She went on the shore at
IL O'Clock the same morning in which
she was sighted.
1T is my opinion, as well as the
opinion of the others on Cat Island, that
for some reason an attempt was made
by those on the Maria Teresa to have
her sink before she had drifted far ip
the storm.
"All the square port holes above the
wafer line were left open, but in spite
of this there was only three feet of
water in her when she came ashore. Il
believe that the. crew when they left
her. were anxious that that might be
the last of her She is lying at present.
with a very slight list to port. As her
stern is presented to the breakers the
waves as they break near the stern run
alongside, making little vibration. .he
pumps were all right and the work 'ns
parts are above water. / believe that
the vessel will not go to. pieces, but will
remain where she is for gears. HerI
Military masts have gone by the board
and are lying on each side of her