Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-11-08
GOES 70 BOTTOM OF SEA
Maria Teresa, Raised Spanish Cruz
ser, Lost Off Bahamas Dur
ing a Storm.
WAS UNABLE TO WEATHER FIERCE GALE
Strain Opens Rents In Her Hull Which
Had Been Patched - Tug Merritt
Brings News to Charleston, N. c.
No Lives Were Lost as Far as 1s
known.

Charleston, S. c., Nov. 1.-THE ocean
tug Merritt put into Charleston Satur-
day morning for supplies. She report
ed the loss of the cruiser Maria Teresa,
raised by Constructor Hobson recently,
off San Salvador, Bahamas, November !,
in the midst of furious storm.
The cruiser left Caimanera, Cuba, on
the morning of October 80, 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 con-
dition 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
Capt. Harris and the crew from the
sinking ship and she soon went down.
The Merritt brought the captain and
1875 men who will proceed north by rail.
No lives were lost as far as known.
The Merritt is now at quarantine, six
with her being difficult.
Later in the day the Merritt arrived
from quarantine and the survivors Of
the Maria Teresa came ashore. They
lost all clothing and personal effects
and are supplied scantily. The Teresa
sunk 80 miles off Walling island at
noon Tuesday, after battling with the
gale six hours. She met the storm
Tuesday morning and the vessel began
to strain in the high seas.
Parts of the hull thought to be safe
became weakened, the rivets broke and
the water made rapidly in the hold.
The boilers began to give way and
finally the water extinguished the fires
in the engine room.
Pumps Would Not Work.
The pumps would not work. The
whole vessel showed signs of collapse
and the men stood stripped awaiting
orders to quit the ship. The Vulcan was
rescued ia of the crew, made up O.
Volunteers from the Cincinnati, New
ark and Vulcan. The ropes were ther
cut, and she was rapidly filled. The
Vulcan and Leonidas deserted the Mer
rdtt, which put into Charleston with
the rescued. Capt. Crittenden and Capt
Lacade, of the Merritt, had arms
sprained. The crew left Saturday aft
ernoon for Norfolk.
New York, Nov. Private informa
ton received in this city Saturday aft
ernoon from Charleston says that the
Infanta Teresa was abandoned 80 mile!
north of Watlings island, one of the
Bahamas.
Navy Department Notified.
Washington, Nov. THE navy de
partment has received dispatch from
Lieut.. Commander Harris, who wal
with the Maria Teresa when she
left Caimanera, saying he reached
Charleston Friday night on the wreck
ing tug Merritt with the officers and IS
men formerly the crew of the Teresa
The cruiser was lost about 30 miles
north of San Salvador Tuesday last il
. northeast gale of exceptional violence
This was all the advices received b,
the department up to two o'clock D. m
The news of the loss of the Spanish
cruiser came to the navy department
In a telegraphic dispatch from Lieut.
Commander Harris, received at abou
ten o'clock in the morning. Secretar,
Long, being temporarily absent from
the department, the officials of the nav
igation bureau, being under stric
construction Of official etiquette, re
fused to make the dispatch public un
til the secretary had given his consent
Consequently the publication of th,
news was delayed until the afternoon
When finally published, the dispatcl
read as follows:
charleston, S. c., Nov. 5.-Secretary G
the Navy, Washington: Arrived here las
night in steamer Merritt with all of tn
crew of the Infanta Maria Teresa, abar
doned in heavy northeastern, Novembe
enlisted men.
(signed HARRIS"
Consult the Chart.
Upon the receipt of the news th
naval officers attached to the navigs
ton bureau Immediately consulted tn
charts to locate the scene of the disas
ter. The first glance satisfied Their
the last had been seen of the ill-fate
Maria Teresa. AS near as they coul
calculate the vessel lies in about 2.eO
fathoms of water, or nearly tire
miles.
The location is "a degrees north lat,
tude by 1890 west longitude, about a
fs.s..-..--------------,
Observation-Disclosures