The Van Buren press., 1899-11-18
LOSS OF THE CHARLESTON.
The Cruiser Drove On an Uncharted
Coral Reef on the North
Coast of Luzon.
THE OFFICERS AND CREW ARE ALL SAFE.
Admiral watson Has Notified the
Navy Department of the Disaster
stating that He Has Sent to Hong
Kong for wreckers TO Make Sal
yREe.

stating that He Has sent 10 Hohs
Kong for Wreekers TO Make Sal
wage.
Manila, Nov. IA. 1925 a. m.-lhe
United States cruiser Charleston ran
aground near Nigan, on hidden reel
With 35 fathoms of water on both
sides. She worked her machinery fol
two days and nights in trying to gel
afioat, but a typhoon arising, the crew
were compelled to take to their boats
and seek refuge on small island IL"
miles away. The natives are friendly
Lieut.. Mcdonald and a number of sail
ors put off in small boat and reached
the Callao, which brought them to Ma
Mia
The gunboat Helena has been dis
patched to bring away the crew.
Lieut.. Mcdonald describes thf
Charleston, when he last saw her. as
hard and fast aground, with her bot
tom badly stove and well out of water
Further Details.
Further details regarding the
grounding of the United States cruls
er Charleston show that she struck an
uneharted coral reef ten miles east OF
kamiguin island. Her stern was al
most submerged, and the bow almost
cut of water. A heavy sea was on ano
the cruiser began rolling violently
The watertight doors were quickl!
closed. but were stove in under the en-
CINE compartment, the largest of tht
ship.
Abandoned Attempts to Save Her.
After the first efforts to right her
the officers feared she might slide oil
because of the heavy sea, and therefore
abandoned the attempt to save her
They hurried to the launches and boats
and rowed away, prepared to fight foi
a landing, with two Colt guns, 1874 rifles
and ten days rations. Some of the
officers and men were dressed only IL
paiamas and their nnderclothing The
breech blocks of the cannon were re
moved before the boats put off.
Two hours after the Charleston
struck all had gotten away. The re.
port that the crew remained two days
on the vessel is inaccurate. A party
returned two days later, but found il
impossible to save anything.
Half Savage, but Friendly People.
The first landing was made on lit
tie island, with front of barren rocks
Next day the boats again took to the
water, and proceeded to Kamiguin
island, where a landing was made in
the expectation that firing would be
necessary. So far from this being
the case, however, the Charleston
men found a half-savage people, whc
regarded them with curiosity rather
than hostility.
| In Search of Succor.
On the third day the storm haC
greatly subsided, and Lieut. John ID
! Mcdonald, with Boatswain DamicL
| Glynn and six men, started for tn,
Gulf of Lingayen, in 30-foot sailing
launch, hoping to find an American
war ship, but were entirely ignorant
OF Gen. Wheaton's expedition.
Overlook the Transport Aztec.
Lieut.. Mcdonald was four days
afoat, keeping under shelter of the
hostile shore for two days on account
of the high seas, being most of the
time in a soaking rain. Finally, fly
ing the Union Jack down, clad in theil
underclothing and drenched to the
skin, the officer and his companions
overlook the transport Aztec, which
carried them to the battle ship Ore
gon.
Was Returning from n Cruise.
The gunboat Helena was due to ar
rive at Kamaguin island Monday. The
Charleston was returning from a five
weeks cruise along the eastern coast
of Luzon, and Admiral Watson was be
ginning to be uneasy. He supposed
however, that she had joined Gen
Wheaton's expedition.
Accident Was Unavoidable.
In naval circles the accident is con
sidered quite unavoidable. The only
wonder is that there are not more sucl
disasters in Philippine waters, which
are most indifferently charted.
The Charleston lies practically il
the open sea, and there is no hope ot
saving her or the valuable parapher
MALTA and contents of the cruiser.
Lieut.. Gilmore and Men.
Washington, Nov. 15.--The followina
was received at the navy department
from Rear-Admiral Watson:
Manila, Nov. Escaped Spanisl
prisoners at San Fabian report seeins
Gilmore, November /, in Tarlac will
five men; all well. He crossed tn,
mountains from Baler in May with /.
men. Location of the other eight IN
known Have cabled Hong Kong fol
salvage for Charleston.
WATSON"