The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-11-15
ON AN UNCHARTED REEF.
Details Of the Loss Of the United States
Cruiser Charleston.
ALL WERE AWAY WITHIN TWO HOURS
vessel with All valuable Parnphcr-
MALTA VIII he n Total Loss--friva-
lions of Officers Seeking Land.

Washington, November H. - Admiral
Watson cables to the navy department the
following official report OF the wreck of
the Charleston: Manila, November A.
Charleston was wrecked uncharted coral
reef three miles northwest OF Guinapak,
rocks. north coast of Luzon, at $50, morn
ing Of November g. Everybody safely
landed on Kamingun island with two rifles
and two Colts. Natives friendly. Me-
Donald made Lingayen sulf in sailing
launch. When he left. no opportunity to
make examination of wreck. Northeast
monsoon. heavy sea prevailing Port ship
struck easily, then thumped yloenly. The
compartment flooded. Ship lies settled aft
Well out of water forward; apparently
rations landed. Helena dispatched from
linsaycn BY oregon to Kaminguin, due
TODAY. Watson.
Manila. November Il, s p. M Further
details regarding the grounding ot tho
United States cruiser Charleston show that
she struck an uncharted coral reef zen
miles east OF Kaminguin island. Her stern
Was almost submerged and the bow almost
out Of waler a heavy sen was Oil aud the
cruiser began rolling violently. The water
tight doors were qNckly closed but we're
stove IL under the engine compartments
the largest OF the ship The crew hurried
10 the launch and boats and rowed aud pre-
pared to fight for a landing with two Colt
guns, i34 rifles ana ten days ratious. Some
OF the officers were dressed only in
pajamas and their Undertaking. The
heeck blocks of the cannons were re
moved before the boats put off Two hours
he fhaw aAr nod
away.
ne report that the crew remained two
days on the vessel Is Inaccurate A party
returned two days later, but found il I'M
possible TO gave anything. On the third
day the sturm had greatly subsidized AMI
Lieutenant John y. Mcdonald with Boat
swain Dominick Glynn and six men
started for the guH Of Lingayen in a
thirty-f1nt sailing launch, hoping to lind
an American warship. but entirely ignor
ant Of General Wheaton's expedition.
Lieutenant Mcdonald was four days ailoat
keeping under shelter OF tho hostile shore
Tor Two days on account of high seas,
being most of he time in a soaking rain.
Finally flying the Union Jack down clad
in their Undertaking. and drenched to
the skin. the officer and his companions
overlook the transport Aztec. which car
ried them to the battleship Oregon. Tho
gunbcat Helena was due to arrive at
kaminguin island yesterday. The Charles
ton was returning from Ave weeks cruise
along The eastern coast OF Luzon aud Ad-
miral Watson was beginning to be UNI
easy. He supposed that she had joined
General Wheaton's expedition,
/ In naval circles the accident is consid-
cred quite unavoidable, The only wonder
Is that there ARE not more such disasters
In the Philippine waters, which are most
ndinerently charted The Charleston
lies practically in the open sea. and there
is no hope of saving her or the valuable
paraphernaiia.
Washington, November i4-There Is a
discrepancy in the date of the wreck Of
the Charleston as given By Admiral Wa.-
sons message and in the press dispatches
II is probable hat the 7th instant is cor.