The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-11-15
TYPHOON TOSSED SIAM
RETURNS FROM HER ILL-FATED
VOYAGE.
Albert p. Taylor Describes the Fearful
Experience of the Voyage Out-wln
Load Animals Here.

The ill-fated transport "Siam" which
encountered a fearful typhoon on it's
first trip to Manila, arrived in Homo
lulu early this morning q days from
Manila. The long trip was due to
strong head winds during the entire
voyage. She carries a United States
mail.
1t is expected that a return cargo of
animals will be taken from Honolulu
instead of returning to San Francis
co. The Siam is officered as follows
Captain Antonio Valentin; First officer
Xigga; Second officer Stepanovich;
with the vessel is DIR. Lyman Bishop,
United States Veterinary Surgeon, who
accompanied the animals of the first
voyage, and Albert p. Taylor, quarter
masters department.
Mr.. Taylor remains in Honolulu and
will not return to Manila on the Slams
next trip. He states that one typhoon
is all that he desires to experience, es-
pecially such a one as struck the Siam
in the China Sea on the 1st of October,
which killed 365 out of q total of 375
animals on board. The first intimation
they had of the typhoon was on the
night of September 30th when a terrific
wind and sea suddenly struck the ship;
the Captain turned the Siam into the
teeth of the storm following the cir
cular course of the storm when the
typhoon was seemingly at the height
of it's fury and the ship was approach
ing the center of it, the Siam became
utterly unmangeable, and, although
steaming al forced speed, she tossed
helplessly in the terrible cross seas for
over five hours; it was at this juncture
that the captain gave orders to bat
ten down all the hatches; this was done
as last resort to save the ship, as it
was felt that the closing of the matches
meant death to the animals in the low
er holds, even though they were not
killed outright by the force of the
storm; heavy seas swept across the
decks carrying away everything; the
vessel rolled heavily from side to side
dipping seas at the bridge at every roll
the barometer fell 72 points, indicating
| the ships close proximity to the center
of the dreaded typhoon.
Upon arrival at Manila several ami
mails had to be shot and all but one of
the others died of their injuries at the
| corrals. That one was burro that dur
| ing the typhoon was in some way
| thrown down an open hatch into the
coal bunkers and was found two days
later uninjured. 1t was the first great
disaster in the transport service and
the loss of the animals was keenly fei
in army circles. Captain O'Neil, quar-.
termaster of the Siam, however, said he
was thankful that he was able to bring
his men and the ship into port safely
| The Austrian officers behaved with re-
markable bravery and GOODNESS during
the typhoon, never quitting the bridge
| until the storm was over. The mass oi
wreckage and the dead animals were
cast overheard before reaching Manila
but even in Manila Bay several animal!
We're thrown over; the smashed life,
boats were disposed Of and at presen
the Siam shows few signs of its strug
gle for the mastery.
The Siam brings a crew of Filipino
firemen and they have proven them
selves equal to the task; they hav,
strict regard for the discipline of tn,
ship and have given no trouble what
ever on the voyage. The former GREY
mutinied during the typhoon and th
ringleader came very near being STRUNG
up by the thumbs to the rigging b!
Captain ONeil.
When the ship left Manila little fight
ing was being done, except on tn
south line, near linus; at this poin
General Schwan had severely punishe
the rebels; and near Cavite, the marine
had petty engagements almost ever,
day, but no pitched battles were fought
At Caloocan, Malolos and La Iona
the Filipinos had been especially activ
about October 9th; a general attacl
was made along the American lines:
battery of light artillery at La Iona
however, effectively shelled the rebe
position at 1000 yards and dislodge
them forcing a general retreat; thi
: attack was made by General Pillar, an
it is thought he has entire charge o
operations on the north, a concession
evidently of Aguinaldo to stimulate ac
! tion.