Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-11-10

clothing and personal effects and are
supplied scantily. The Maria Teresa
met the storm Tuesday morning
at Duesal and began to strain in
the high seas. Parts of her hull
thought to be safe became weakened,
some of the rivets broke allowing the
water to pass rapidly into the vessel.
The boilers began to give way and
finally the water extinguished the
fires in the engine room. The pumps
would not work, while the vessel
showed signs of collapse and the men
stood stripped awaiting orders to quit
the ship. The Vulcan was towing the
Teresa, while the Merritt rescued the
crew of la made up Of volunteers
from the Cincinnati, Newark and Vul-
can. When the ropes were cut she
rapidly filled. The Vulcan and Leon
ides deserted the Merritt which put in
to Charleston with the rescued. Capt.
LaCade of the Merritt had his arms
sprained. The Maria Teresa's crew
has gone to Norfolk.
Lieut.. Com. Harris Report.
Washington, Nov. 6.-The loss of the
cruiser Maria Teresa was reported by
Lieut.. Commander Harris to the sec
rotary of the navy. Harris said in
part: ION November l at l a. M, it
was blowing hard. We had left the
Watling's island light abeam. The
wind continued to increase in force I'M
= t1,bn,
height. Its direction was about north
east There was heavy sea all Tues
day. The pumps were reported every
hour. Capt. LIE Cato and Capt. Chit
tendon and the two mates were below
working on the pumps. There were
many new leaks. When a heavy sea
struck the sides the plates leaked at
the butts and seams About $50 a.
M, it was reported that water was
coming into one of the starboard for
ward coal bunkers and running into
the fire rooms. Where the water
came from we do not know. About
o'clock the 11-inch gun in the after
turret ran out and in twice. When it
recoied a second time something gave
WAY ana II StLlltu W tAlltIlt GlCN Il
ton and remained stationary. We
signalled the Leonidas to stay close to
us She passed around under
the Maria's stern, although
at some distance, and picked up the
! life RATS which the Vulcan threw
over About 11,o0 we asked the Mer-
rift II we could be turned safely to
| h., 81 -,
The reply was No. and, as Capt
Chittenden thought we would sink If
we tried to turn, this idea was given
up. Both the Vulcan and Merritt
could with difficulty keep us head TO
| the wind Finally the Vulcan's tow
lines parted and our ship fell into the
! trough of the sea AT l p. m, as
sumed command and told the chief en-
gineer to start his engines to aid the
Vulcan to keep our head up. He did
so. but could run but a short time
with the steam we had. We signalled
| the Vulcan: We are about to aban-
! don the ship try to keep us head to
! the wind | ordered Capt lie Cato to
| take charge OF the lee surf boat and
Z WH0H IL Was bIuSIGu ~ SAAS 1880 -
dered Capt. Chittenden into 1t against
his repeated protests. He was placed
in the boat with his son. The Merritt
picked it up and after taking Chttten-
den aboard, towed the boat to our lee
quarter and repeated the Vancouver
each trip, forming lee for the boats
10 come here and then towing them
back. From until o'clock the work
of transferring the crew was contin-
uea. The life raft and smaller surf
boat were gotten out and made two
trips. We poured oil from the spon-
sons on both sides, aud the Vulcan
also used oil. doubt II we should
have worked without 1t. The ship
labored more and more heavily. Dt