Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-14
Wreckers to Go to the Suuken
Charleston.
REPORT FROM ADMIRAL WATSON
AN UNCuARTED CORAL REEF

a-ruund near Vigan on a hidden reef, with
th.rty-tiye fathpms of water on both sides
SHa worked her machinery for two days
and ul-Lf~ i'm trying To- set al!uat. but
Jyphoou arising tEe or, y wer, compelled
tY take To- their i,u,t-s and seek refuge on a
small island fly, miles away The natives
ar. friendly Lieut. Mcdonald and a num-
Der of sailors put off in a small boat and
reached The CaIiap, which brought them
& Manila
The gu1boat Helena has b,ca dispatched
&. bring away the crew.
Lieut.. Mcdonald describes the Charles
t.u when hc last saw her as hard and fast
aground. with her bottom badly stove and
WI "ut If the water.
Official confirmation of the loss of the
cruiser Charleston off the northern coast
Of Luzon Is contained in the following cable
message received from Rear Admiral Wat
son. commanding the Asiatic station, which
was received late last night but not deliv-
cred until this morning:
MANILA. November Il. 1899.
Secretary Of the Navy, Washington;
charleston wrecked uncharted coral
reef, three miles northwest of Guinapak
Rocks, north coast of Luzon. at $50 on
tie morning Of November :. Everybody
safely landed at Kamiguin Island, armed
with rifles and two Colts. The natives
friendly. Mcdonald made LinEayen gulf
in a sailing launch. When he left there
was no opportunity Of examining condition
Of wreck. Northeast monsoon and heavy
SEA prevailing. Reports ship struck easily,
then thumped violently, Fire-room com
partments flooded. First water-tight doors
closed promptly. Ship lies settled aft;
water one foot from name, well out of Wa
ter forward. Apparently very steep bank.
Ten days provisions. half rations, landed.
Helena dispatched from Lingayen by Ore
gon To- kamiguin; due today
(Signed) WATSON.
Cause for Delay in the News.
Admiral Watson's cablegram confirming
the press report of the wrecking of the
Charleston was made public at the Navy
Department this morning. There was some
surprise expressed at the fact that a week
elapsed since the wreck before news of the
fact reached the Navy Department IT ap-
pears. however. that this delay was in
evirabIe owing % the isolated position of
the wreck. Kamiguin Island is a small
island only q few miles In length. lying
about north Of Appari. which is the most
northerly port on the Island Of Luzon. 1t
IS distant about 80 miles from Lingayen
gulf. where are stationed the nearest Of the
warships Of Wats1u.s feet. Being so far
south Of the scene Of The wreck. and there
being absolutely no ordinary travel around
the north eud of The Island q Luzon at
this season, II IS. therefore. IoI regarded as
surprising, when these facts are known.
that news Of the accident travelled 80 slow
ly. In fact had not the steam launch un-
der command Of Lieut.. Mcdonald been able
10 travel as far as Lingayen gulf the wreck
Of the Charleston might have remained IN
known for a much longer period of time.
as there Is al present way Of getting
news overland through the length Of Luzon.
President Examines the Chart.
When Acting Secretary Allen received the
news he communicated with the White
House. and then by direction of the Presi-
dent went over at once carrying a chart
OF northern Luzou and the cabIegram from
Watson. The President was glad to hear
that there IS q chance Of saving the
Charleston. Assistant Secretary Allen tele-
graphed at once TO Hong Kong to dispatch
/. wreckiuz, crew TO the scene.
Acting Secretary Allen said. after return
ing from the White House. that no orders
concerning the Charleston were necessary
from Washington. as Admiral Watson and
the officers near the scene of the wreck
were best able to judge Of the emergency
measures necessary to be taken. There is
every confidence that these measures Will
b adequate for both the safety Of the crew
and for the salvage Of the vessel
Court of Inquiry.
As soon as the Survivors Of the Charles
ton have been cared for there will be a
court or inquiry called to fix the response
b!Iity for the wrecling Of the ship. This
course viii follow irrespective Of any ac-
course. VIII be ordered by Admiral Wat
son. IN conformity with the naval reguIa-
tons. Should II appear that the wreck
was caused 10y the negligence or careless
ness of any Of the Charestons officers, a
cOurt-martiaI Will follow the inquiry, but.
iH view of the exceedingly dangerous char
aCter of The north coast Of Luzon. and the
lack Of necessary aids to navigation al
ready referred 10. it IS not believed to be
probable that any Of the officers Will be
found severely censurabIe.
To Recover the Charleston.
Admiral Watson appears to have acted
a. once upon receipt OF the news. for he
informed the Navy Department that he
had cab.ed across to Hongkong TO secure
the help II experienced wreckers to pro.
ceed at once to the scene Of the accident
The Navy Department has already a con.
struct9r on the ground in the person OF
Lieutenant Hobsou, who may be called OF
To assume charge Of the wrecking opera
tions, In view Of the experience he has al
ready had in such work during the pas
two years
careful reading Of the cabIegram from
Admiral Watson convlnces the officials O,
the Navy Department that there is a fail
chance Of saving the Charleston The Off
cials say that the name of the shin Il
painted about three or four feet below III,
rail Of the ship, This is an indication tha
the main deck is above water wbtct
would make the work Of pumping out tn
hull much easier. II she is settled dow,
aft, as reported, there is less danger n
injuring the bottom further by pounding
Much depends, however, on the weather
as the point OF the wreck lies In the fu1
sweep Of the northeast monsoons whic
prevail al this season.
safety of the Shipwrecked
As to the safety of the officers and crew
not the slightest apprehension exists, noy
that they have been landed without Iosi
Three hundred odd sailors. well-armed a