The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-11-12
TERESA IS On SHORE
This Wait of the Sea Is Cast
Upon Cat Island.
HER STANDING IN LAW
Is in Question, as Also the
Chance of Saving Her

Nassau, y. P, Nov. u.-wreckers who
have arrived here have brought with
them stores from the stranded vessel off
Cat Island which establishes beyond
doubt that she is the Infants Maria Te-
resa- The vessel is looked upon as be-
ing a derelict and the wreckers claim the
right to seize the stores which can be
saved. They report that the water is up
TO her between decks. that she has listed
to starboard, which side Is damaged, and
that shs is dismantled. The vessel lies
between two reefs. on a smooth bottom,
and has her anchor out.
The British admiralty authorities here
are going to take possession of the Maria
Teresa as a derelict. The American con-
sui has protested against this course,
claiming everything less the salvage.
The steamer Antilla is leaving here for
Cat Island with customs officers and po-
lice on board.
Opinions differ as 10 the chances OF
saving the cruiser Although she has
been aground since Thursday the Meria
Teresa is in an easy position and the
weather is moderate.
STILL BELONGS TO UNCLE SAM.
Washington, Nov. 1.-THE officials az
the navy department were interested in
the news from Nassau Identifying clear
ly the steamship lying off Cat Island as
the Maria Teresa The legal status OF
the vessel has been considered cursorily
and in the opinion of the department the
title of the United States to her is unim-
paired, Notwithstanding the fact that it
was necessary to abandon her for q
time. There may be some question in
volved as to the payment of salvage to
the Bahamas fishermen, but that depends
in q large measure on what they have
done. If they have simply been Iooting
the vessel, then not only are they not en-
titled to salvage but the goods stolen
may be recovered. On the other hand,
if it was the fishermen who anchored the
ship in smooth water and if they made
any endeavor to bring her in, probably
they would have good claim for salv-
age. The vessel, however, 5 not subject
to detention on this account. internauon-
al law exempting national vessels from
seizure on any score in times of peace. /
In such case the salvor might, after al
lowing the vessel to proceed present their
claim TO the government of the United
States through thed iplomaic represent
alive to the British colonies.
From he reports received it IS feared
that the damage sustained by the vessel
through the storm and the probable
pounding upon the coral reefs outlining
Cat Island, added to the wounds received !
by the ship in action when she was sunk
originally. are sufficient to render her en-
tirely vslueless. Nothing but an experts
examination can determine this point,
but as the Merritt experts are already on
their way to Cat Island, that point will
soon be decided
The navy department has decided that
a court of inquiry shall be held to deter !
mine whether the abandonment of the !
Teresa was justifiable, and if not, who
was responsible. The detail for the court
has not yet been announced, nor, indeed, /
has the court been formally appointed, /
for it cannot take the testimony neces- /
sary to elicit the facts until the wreck /
ers who have gone TO Cat Island return
with an account of the conditions they |
found aboard the Teresa. The report !
that the water in the hull was up be- !
tween decks. taken in connection with I
the fact that he vessel was rolling her /
Sponsors under when abandoned is be- /
lieved to make out a very favorable case /
for the people aboard the Teresa. unless .
it should be shown that even this great /
volume of water was admitted through /
injury sustained on the coral reefs al Cat |
Island after the vessel was abandoned.