Omaha daily bee., 1898-11-09
QUEST OF The MARIA TERESA
Reports from Several Points that Cruiser
Lies OF Cat Island.
DeRtLICT WAR SHIP MAY YET Be SAVED
Supposed at the Bottom Of the Sea, the
Vessel II Henrd From Near the
Bahsnns and Rescue Crews
Are at Once Dispatched.

WASHINGTON, Nov. s.--A message re-
ceived at the Navy department today from
captain Crowninshield, chief of the nayiga-
ton bureau, who Is in New York. called
attention to the report that tho Spanish
cruiser Maria Teresa had been seen off
Cat island. The captain expressed his be-
lief In the accuracy OF the report and sug-
sested to the department that the repair
ship Vulcan. now at Norfolk, be sent at
once to make search for the derelict
The department acted at once upon the
suggestion. a telegram was sent to the
comma ndant OF the Norfolk navy yard dl-
recting him to place the Vulcan In com
mand Of Captain McCalla, the captain OF
the yard, and send it with all dispatch
to look for the Teresa. a similar order
was cabled TO Captain Converse at Guam
tanamo, directing him TO scnd the wreck
ing tug Potomac from that place north
ward on the same quest. II goes In charge
or j. e. Craven and the department be-
leves IL Will be in the vicinity OF Cat
island within thirty-slx hours.
The Vulcan was one of the vessels which
was towing the Teresa when 1t was sup
posed to have foundered and the depart
ment believes that 1t will reach the scene
OF the wreck In about forty-eght hours
after leaving Norfolk.
Chance of Saving the Ship.
Cat island lies about thirty miles south
west OF the spot where the Teresa was last
seen and II is said at the department that
II the vessel did not founder outright
within very few hours after having been
cut adrift IL would almost certainly have
fetched up on the shoal beach off Cat
island. for the wind and tide set directly
on that beach. II so, the location is much
more favorable. for saving the ship than the
position occupied by 1t off Santiago, where
the bottom was covered with rocks and the
wreckers worked at great disadvantage.
Captain McCalla was selected for the task
because OF his great energy and ability
for this particular class OF work and the
officers declare that If any man can bring
the Teresa into port he can.
It is the belief Of naval constructors that
the Teresa took water aboard almost al
together throughout the decks and not
through the hull, as would appear from
the first accounts OF the loss of the ship.
These decks were rude temporary construc-
tions and were entirely unsuitable for rough
weather. The fact that the reports indi-
cate that the ship settled by the head and
that water ran into the coal bunkers and
thence into the frerooms goes to bear out
the constructors theory. 1t also tends to
give color to- the report that the ship may
not have foundered at once but have drifted
ashore on Cat island.
NASSAU, N. p. Nov. s.-No information
is obtainable here which In any way tends
TO confirm the report In circulation in the
United States that the cruiser Maria
Teresa, which was abandoned in a sinking
condition off Waiting island on Novem-
Dor L. has been sighted aground of Cat
island of the Bahama group. The rumoi
that the cruiser has been sighted is dis
credited. ''E
NORFOLK, Va, Nov s.--The Merritt and
Chapman wrecking company has received in
formation that the Maria Teresa is ashor
at Cat Island Captain Chittenden will leave
with the steamer Mevritta at once.