The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-11-06
STORY OF THE DISASTER.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 5.-The navy de-
partment has a message from Lieutenant
Commander Harris. now at Charleston,
confirming the loss OF the Maria Teresa.
He states that to have turned about
and sought another passage would have,
been an extremely perilous undertaking
to begin with. and even after getting
safely about. the vessel would have been
Obliged to travel many hundred miles
more than intended in order to have
picked up another course closer to the
American continent and with the added
dangers that the Florida shoals might
bring.
The greatest regret was expressed in
official circles regarding the loss Of the
Maria Teresa. Secretary of State Hay
said that he was indeed sorry 10 hear
that II had been found impossible TO
bring the vessel TO the United states.
when everybody was so much interested
in her.
Acting Secretary Allen OF the navy said
the loss was much greater than any In
trinsic value represented in the ship.
She was the link that connected the great
naval victory with the United Safes. II
was the sentiment bred in this country
that succeeded in raising her, and 1t was
the wish Of the whole people that she
should be brought to the United States.
1t was the general impression about the
state, war and navy departments that
the loss Of the Maria Teresa would pre-
vent any further attempt to bring any of
the other vessels to this country.
A thrilling story OF the loss Of the
Maria Teresa is given in the official re-
port Of Lieutenant Commander Harris
10 the secretary Of the navy. received by
telegraph at the navy department late
this afternoon. Harris says;
At / p. m. Captain Cittender asked me
TO signal the Vulcan to cast off the Mer'
ritt's tow lines and have the Merritt
come alongside. l then assumed COM
mand, told the men what was to be done
and assigned them stations, l told the
chief engineer to start the engine to aid
the Vulcan in keeping our head up. He
did So but it could run but a short time
with the steam we had. We slgnalled
the Vulcan. I'VE are about to abandon
the. ship; try to keep us head to Wind"
l ordered Captain Lecato to take charge
Of the lee surf boat and whsn, 1t was
lowered to the, rail ordered Captain Chit.
tenden into 1t. against his repeated pro-
tests. He was placed in the boat with
his son, This boat was unable to reach
the lines We had asteyn but the Merritt
picked them up and, after taking Captain
Chittenden aboard, towed the boat to oul
lee quarter and repeated this vancouver
( each trip forming lee for the boats e
come under and then towing them back
She was splendidly handled. From 1 t
2 o'clock the work Of transferring th'
crew continued. A life-raft was taker
( over and capsized but was righted. Th'
smaller surf boat. towed under the le'
side. was then gotten out.
In all his trips the quartermastel
poured oil in Sponsors on both sides, ant
/ the Vulcan also used oil TO make /
smooth where the embarking was done
! I doubt II we could have worked withou
( II. The ship labored more and NOR
heavily before left the bridge. She role
her sponsors under which should est
v,,ate to be thirty degrees, and her pitch
Ing was enough to show her rudder, pre-
pellers and perhaps 70 feet Of her kee
With the exception of three men, VII
got drunk and gave much trouble, all II
crew behaved well. Every man did h
duty and my orders were instantl
obeyed by the wreckers and the men
the navy.