The age-herald., 1898-11-06
ALL ON BOARD RESCUED Lieut.Commander Harris Reports
 on Sinking ofVessel.
 VIOLENT GALE WAS BLOWING
Rents in the Hull Were Reopened
 and She Rapidly Filled.
NO LOSS TO THE GOVERNMENT
Valuable Guns and Naval Equipment Taken from the Vessel Made Up for the Amount Paid Out for
 Raising the Cruiser.

Charleston, S. C.. November 5.-The ocean tug Merritt put into Charleston this morn ing for supplies
 She reported the loss of the cruiser SMaria Teresa, raised by Constructor Hopson re- gently, off San Salvador, Bahamas, No vember l. in the midst of furious storm.
 The cruiser left Caimanera, Cuba, on the morning of October 30 in tow for New York.
 She had already passed Cape Maysi and started northeast around the Bahamas
 A furious storm, warning of which had already been sent out, overlook her. and In her condition she was unable to weather the gale.
 The strain opened rents in her hull, which had been patched to enable her to make the journey, and she began to fill rapidly.
 The Merritt took off Captain Harris and the crew from the sinking ship, and she soon went down.
 When the Merritt tied up at her dock here all the survivors from the Teresa were given shore liberty. There were IA of them officers and men, and while many of them were half naked they were as happy and jolly party as one could wish to 
 cred at Central wharf when they landed.
 Lieutenant-C Commander l. E. Harris, U. S. N., made full report to the department of the disaster. The officers and men re- mained in the city throughout the day. At 5 o'clock this afternoon the entire party started north. The men all go to Norfolk. their original destination, where they will be rejoined by the Merritt which will leave .t.,rr Dafa 1aax ytf,sr the wharf for the train Commander Har- ris lined his men up and, after having call- ed the roll and found that all hands were accounted for. he said:
 Cheers for the Merritt
 "Boys, if it had not been for the I. J. Merritt and her gallant men, we would not be here today. I call for three cheers for the Merritt" The cheers were given with a will. Then some one called for cheers for Commander Harris and Captain Chit tendon, and these too, were given heartily Commander Harris was the last man to leave the Maria Teresa.
 thrilling story of the loss of the cruiser Maria Teresa is given in the official report of Lieutenant-Commande Harris to the secretary of the navy, received by .tele- graph at the navy department late this afternoon. It is dated on board the wreck ing steamer Merritt, fifty miles off Charles ton, November 4, and says:
 "Secretary of the Navy, Washington Sir:-I have the honor to make the follow ing report of the loss of the Infanta Maria Teresa. On November 1, at a. m., found that it was blowing hard and went on the lower bridge. We had left Wallings Island light abeam at 10 o'clock. and upon mid- night the weather was pleasant and all went well with the ship. The wind contin- ued to increase in force until a. m., when 1t reached it's height, although there were times all day when 1t blew as hard as ever. The sea continued to rise until a. m. and there was heavy sea all the follow ing day. Soon after came on deck re- lieved the second mate, MT. Johnson, so that he could go below to fight the water About 3:30 the first mate, Captain Lecato, came up and he also went below to work. Captain Chittendon, who was on deck al- most as soon as I. gave his attention to the pumps. There were many new leaks When a heavy sea struck the sides, the plates leaked at the butts and seams, showing that after the fire they had re- stunned their former appearance. but were not ught. Tne pump Tor keeping the water from the forward compartment was driven by belt and when the sea broke over the bows the belt became wet and slipped.
 'As soon as the water was up to the floor plate in the forward fire room. the roll- ing of the ship swashed into the coal bunk CTS and carried the coal out, choking the pump and carrying the floor plates, which made It difficult and dangerous to work. Everybody responded and the work was continued as long as 1t seemed of any use. About S:30 a. m. 1t seemed the water was coming into one of the starboard forward coal bunkers and running into the fire rooms.
 Sea Running High
 sAbout 11:S0 we signalled the Merritt If we could be turned safely to run for the