The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1899-11-18
CRUISER CHARLESTON SUNK.
EVERY ONE SAFELY LANDED.
crsiser chsrsesten Wrecked on .
Coral Resf-Heayy Sea Prevaiiea-
Saved Some Of the 0uns-aaisht
Save the ship-A court 81 Inauisy.

Wsshington, Nov. ls.--Admiral Watson
cables to the navy department. the follow
ing official report Of the wreck Of the
cruiser Charleston:
The Charleston was wrecked on an un-
charted coral reef three miles northwest
Of Guianapak rocks, ON the north coast II
LuzOn. Everybody was safely landed ON
Kamagnin island, with the rifles and two
Gotta Natives are friendly. Mcdonald
has made Hngnyen gulf in q sailing
launch. When he left there Was NO op.
pOrtunity for an examination Of the wreck.
A northeast monsoon and heavy sea was
prevailing. Reports state that the ship
struck easily and then thnmped violently.
"The fireroom compartment was flooded,
but the first watertight doors were closed
promptly. The ship lies 30 that she has
settled aft, and the water IL one foot from
the name. She is well out of water for
ward, but it is apparently q very steep
bank. Ten days provisions and 100 "a
tioEs were landed"
There was some surprise expressed that
90 long a time has elapsed since the wreck
Of the cruiser Charleston before news Of
the fact reached the navy department. II
appears, however, that this delay was In
eyitable, owing to the isolated position Of
the wreck. kamaguin island il q small
iAland lying about north Of Appari, which
% the most nOrtheriy port on the island
Of LurOn- 1t Is distant about $50 miles
from Lingayen gull, where ara stationed
the nearest Of Watsons feet.
Watson appears 10 have acted Mt once
upon receipt Of the news. for he informed
the navy department that he has cabIed
to Hong Kong 70 secure the help of ex.
Perienced wrecksrs 70 proceed at once to
the scene Of the wreck. The navy de-
partment has already a constructor on tbs
ground in the person of Lieut. HobsOn,
who may Be- called upon 70 assume chATgs
Of wrecking operations.
A careful reading Of the cablegrAm from
Watson cOnvinceS the officials that there
is : fair chance Of saving the Charleston
They say that the name Of the chip II
painted about three or four feet below the
rail This il an indication that the main
deck IL above water, which would make
the work OF pumping out the hull much
easier. IL she is settled down aft, ~ re-
ported, there Is less danger of injury to
the bottom BY further pounding. Much
depends, however, on the weather, as the
wreck lies in the full sweep Of the mon
soOns, which prevail Al this season
For the safety Of the officers and the
crew not the slightest apprehension existA
The HeleaA must already have reached
the island, which il about . days run
from Lngayen, and with the Oregon
which followed closely, must have remOy.
ed the Charlestons crew several days ago
As soon As possible a court of inquiry
win be called to Ok the responsibility fol-
the wrecking Of the ship. This viii follow
irrespective Of any action Of the navy de
partment, and will be ordered by Admiral
Watson.
Should II appear that it was caused BY
negligence OF any Of the Charleston's OH
GERS, q cOurt-mArtil will follow the in,
quiry, but in view Of the exceedingly dan.
gerous character Of the north coast d
LnEOn and lack of necessary aids to nayi
cation, it 10 not believed probable thai
any OF the officers will be found severely
censunble.