The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-15
NO HOPE OF SAVING HER
HEAVY SEAS FORCED ILL TO
ABANDON HER.
HARDSHlPS ENDURED IN OPEN BOATS
Lieutenant Mcdonald -Four Days in Boat in
Drenching Rains, Carries News of the
Disaster to the Oregon. The
Helena to the Rescue.

Manila, Nov. 14.-12:25 p. m.-The
aground near Vigan, on a hidden reef,
with fathoms of water on both sides.
She worked her machinery for swo days
and nights in trying to get atioat, but a
typhoon arising the crew were compelled
to take to their boats and seek refuge
on a small island five miles away. The
natives are friendly. Lieutenant Nc
Donald and a number of sailors put of
in a small boat and reached the Callao
which brought them to Manila.
The gunboat Helena has been dis
patched to bring away the crew.
Lieutenant Mcdonald describes tht
Charleston when he last saw her as
hard and fast aground, with her bot
tom badly stove and well out of thl
water.
s p. m.-Further details regarding the
grounding of the United States cruiser
Charleston show that she strac9 IN un-
charted coral reef ten miles east III
Kamiguin Island. Her stern was almost
submerged and the bow almost ont OF
water. A heavy sea was on and the
cruiser began rolling violently The
water tight doors were quickly closed,
but were stove ill under the engine COM
partment. the largest of the ship.
After the first efforts TO ~ight her, the
officers feared she might slide off be-
cause of the heavy sea, and therefore
abandoned the attempt TO save ler.
They .hdrried to the launch and boats
and rowed away preDarAd TO tight for
a landing, with two Colt guns, ia rifles
and ten days rations. Some of the off
GERS and men were dressed only in
pajamas and their anderclothing The
breech blocks of the canncn were r.
moved before the boats put of. Two
hours after the Charl .s;on struck all rad
gotten away The report that the crew
remained two days on the vessel IS in-
accurate. A party returned two DAYS
later but found it Impossible to save
anything.
The first landing was made on a little
island. with front of barren rocks.
Next day the boats again took 10 the
water and proceeded to Kamlgu'n Island,
where a landing was made in the ex-
pectation that fighting would he reces-
sary. So far from this being the case.
however. the Charleston men found a
haIf-savage people. who regarded them
with curiosity rather than hostility. On
the third day the storm had greatly sub
sided and Lieutenant JohL ID. Mcdonald,
with boatswain Domiaick .ilinn and six
men started for the Gnlf of Lingayen III
a thirty foot sailing launch, hoping TO
find an American wa"ship. ont entirely
ignorant@of General AVheaton's cXpedi-
tion.
Lieutenant Mcdonald was for days
afloat, keeping under shelter of the hostile
shore for two days on aecoIn! of the
high seas, Demg most " the time 10 Il
soaking rain. Finally. flying Inc Unioa
Jack down clad in thei. umderclo. hing
and drenched to the sim, tne officer and
his companions overt ).,S& the transport
Aztec, which carried them to the battle
ship Oregon.
The gunboat Helena was due to arrive
at Kamiguin Island yesterday. The
Charleston was returning from five
weeks cruise along the eastern coast of
Luzon. and Admiral Watson was begin
ming to be uneasy He supposed how
ever, that she had joined General
Wheaton's expedition.
In naval circles the accident is con-
sidered quite unavoidable. The only
wonder is that there are not more such
disasters in the Philippine waters, which
are in most eases indifferently charted.
The Charleston lies practically in the
open sea, and there is no hope of saving
her or the valuable paraphernalia and
contents of the cruiser.
WATSON'S REPORT OF WRECK.
Washington. Nov. 14.-Admiral Wat
son cables to the Navy Department the
following official report of the wreck of
the cruiser Charleston:
Manila, Nov. 13.-Charleston wreck
ed uncharted coral reef three miles
north, northwest of Guinapak Rocks,
north coast Luzon, $50 morning Of No
vember 2nd. Everybody safely landed
Kamiguin Island armed with rifles and
two Colts. Natives friendly. McDon-
aid made Lngayen Gulf Gn) sailing
launch. When left no opportunity ex-
animation Of wreck. Northeast monsoon,
heavy sea prevailing. Reports ship
struck easily; then thumped violently.
Fire room compartment flooded first
water tight doors closed promptly. Ship
lies settled aft, water one foot from
name. Well out of water forward; APP
parentIy very steep bank; ten days pro-
visions: men on half rations when land
ed. Helena dispatched from Lngayen
by Oregon to Kamiguin; due today.
(Signed.) WATSON
There is discrepancy in the date Of