The age-herald., 1898-11-12
Beyond a Doubt the Wreck is CerVera'S
 Former Flagship.
AMERICAN CONSUL PROTESTED
Against the English Authorities Inter fering in the Matter, Claiming That the Finders Were Only Entitled
 to Regular Sa @.

Nassau, N. F., NoYemDer 11.-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 Infanta Maria Teresa.
 As the vessel is looked upon as being a derelict. the wreckers claim the right to seize the stores which can be saved.
 They report that the water is up between her decks; that she has a list to the star board which side is damaged, and that she is dismasted. The vessel lies between reefs on smooth bottom and has her anchor out.
 The British admiralty authorities here are going to take possession of the Maria Teresa as a dereict. The American con- sul has protested against this course, claim ing everything less the salvage.
 The steamer Antila is leaving here for Cat Island with custom officers and police on board.
 Opinions differ as to the chance of saving the cruiser. Although she has been aground since Thursday the Maria Teresa rests in an easy position and the weather is mod crate.
 The Washington View
 Washington, November 1.-The officials at the navy department are interested in the news from Nassau identifying clearly the steamship lying off Cat Island as the Maria Teresa. The legal status of the ves- sel has been considered cursorily and in the opinion of the department the title of the United States to her is unimpaired, not withstanding the fact that it was neces- sary to abandon her for time. There may be a question involved as to the payment of salvage to the Bahama fishermen, but that depends in a large measure on what they have done If they have simply been loot ing the vessel, then not only are they not entitled to salvage, but the goods stolen may be recovered. On the other hand, If 1t was the fishermen who anchored the ship in smooth water, and if they made any en- deayor to bring her in, probably they would have a good claim for salvage. The ves- sel. however, is not subject to detention on this account international law exempting ma tional vessels from seizure on any score in time of peace In such case the salvor might. after allowing the vessel to proceed, nresent their claim to the government of the United States through the diplomatic representatives of the British government. Is Badly Damaged
 itch. GniT. .mu arrfk Nib vbg emf vb cm l. From the account received 1t IS reared that the damage to the vessel sustained through the storm and the probable pound | ing on the coral reefs outlying Cat Island added to the wounds received by the shlf | in action when she was sunk originally | are sufficient to render her entirely value l less. Nothing but an experts examnatioi l can determine this point, but as the Mer | ritt experts are already on their way tt | Cat Island, that question will be soon de | cided. The navy department has decided l that court of inquiry shall be held to ae | termine whether the abandonment of Ter | esq at sea was justfiable, and if not who l was responsible. The detail for the cour l has not yet been announced nor indeed has | the court been formally appointed for Il 1 cannot take the testimony necessary tc | elicit the facts until the wreckers 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 l hull was up between decks, taken in con- | nection with the fact that the vessel was rolling her sponsons under when aban. | doned, is believed to make out a very favor | able case for the people aboard the Teresa 1 unless it should be shown that this great volume of water was admitted through | injury sustained on the coral reefs al Cat Island after the vessel was abandoned.