The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-11-23
TERESA INQUIRY BEGINS.
TERESA STORY BY MAIL
How the Stripped and Abandoned
EHIIS Lacked NOY Ii

Correspondence of the Associated Press.)
Nassau, y. p, Nov. 1.-THE cablegrams
sent up to date have given an outline of
the case of the Spanish cruiser Maria Te-
resa, which went ashore in a heavy gale
at Bird Point, Cat island, on the afternoon
OF November 5. By this first opportunity
by mail details are forwarded:
At last advices she was still ashore, with
little probability Of being got off. The gale
that sent her ashore was so heavy that
she was driven far up the reefs, and sits
now as solid as a rock, in twelve feet of
water. The water inside of her rising and
failing with the tide. she is supposed to be
bilged. A very heavy surf is pouring in on
the reefs, rendering IT difficult to board
her The ships pet, a large cat, remains
on board her and nobody can catch him.
The ships flag. which was flying when
she stranded well-worn American en-
sign, has been brought to Nassau and
Consul McLain insists on keeping it at the
consulate as a souvenir of the Spanish
warship, which so pathetically sought
final resting place on the very shores
where Columbus first landed.
The British steamer Antilla returned
from the wreck on Sunday and reported
that it was impossible for her to accom-
pIsh anything. The surf was so heavy
that she could not get within a quarter of
a mile of the Teresa, though drawing but
nine feet Two gentlemen on board man
aged TO reach the Teresa in a boat. but
the surf was so strong that the could not
return, and finally reached the shore,
where they were left TO return to Nassau
by schooner.
The ship has been badly looted by the
negro natives of the vicinity. an ignorant
community. who generally believe that all
wrecks are a present sent them by the
Lord. and TO be gratefully accepted and
utihZed accordingly. Everythinf movable
has been taken away. and even the tenn
porary pine deck. put on al Guantanamo
for the passage north, has been cut to
pieces broken up and carried off by in
haoitants, 10 be utilized in boarding cab
ms and in repairing cd ones. Much OF
the brass work and copper has been hack
ed or and secreted in the bush. to be re-
allied upon hereafter. The provisions were
eagerly seized. the reckless natives who
are Ike ducks in swimming. taking all
sorts Of risks in their quest for plumber.
Certain portions OF the shiD's stores
- a. navy LaNStIS. ropes, ton OF ma
chinery. canned provisions. etc xara
taken on by a local official and forwarded
70 Nassau by small schooners. This Of
hciai. II IS but fair to say. did all he could
70 prevent the looting. but did not sue
ceed t. any great extent. Immediately
upon the arrival % these articles at Mas
sau they were taken possession OF by the
marshal % the vice admiralty. on the
ground that the ship and contents were
deTe.icts. and 50 belonged 70 the colonial
authorities The American consul Mr..
McLsin, notified the marshal tina. ne con-
sidered the articles saved % b. the prop
cry OF the United States and that re
would at the proper time request that taay
Be released and handed over him. The
question of ownership thus raised IS not
likely 20 be settled A. once.