New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-15
ADMIRAL wATsONs REPORT.
BELIEF THAT 1T MAY BE POSSIBLE TO SAVE
THE VESSEL.

RELIEF THAT 1T MAY BE POSSIBLE III oANE
THE VESSEL.
Washington. Nov 14.-Admiral Watson sent
to the Navy Department the following official
report of the wreck of the cruiser Charleston;
Manila November 13
Charleston wrecked uncharted coral reef
three miles northwest of GuinapaK KocAs, nur.n y
coast Luzon. $50 morning of November =
Everybody safely landed Kamlguan ls,aha'
armed with rifles and two Colts Natlves lrlghu- ,n
ly. Mcdonald made Llngayen Gul I'M sah1ne nx
launch When he left no opportunity lot eA
animation of wreck Northeast monsoon, heaVy
sea prevailing. Reports ship struck easily. the.
thumped violently Fireroom cd c%fnparrtrs. prnuntly
Shin lies settled aft, water one foot from name.
We'll out of water forward apparently very
steep bank; ten days provisions one-hait ra-
tions landed Helena dispatched from Lingayeh
by oregon to ha"'sua'' 'u' WATSON.
second dispatch from Admiral Watson
added that he had sent dispatches to Hong
Kong regarding salvage on the Charleston
REASON FOR DELAY OF NEWS.
rbero is q discrepancy in the date Of tbe'
wreck of the Charleston as given in Admiral
watson's message and in the press dispatches.
II is nrobabe that November Is correct. and
that Admiral Watson's dispatch was confuseda
in transmission.
There was some surprise expressed that so
long a time elapsed since the wreck before news
Of the fact reached the Navy Department. IL
appears however that this delay was Inevitable
ewing to the isolated position OF the wreck
Kamiguan Island is a small island lying ABOUT
north of A )pari. which is the most northeriy
port on the island OF Luzon. 1t Is distant apouc
two hundred and fifty miles from Lingayen
Gulf where are stationed the nearest OF 'ne
wsrshins Of Watsons fleet. When Acting sec-7
retary Allen reached the Navy Department 'n''
morning he communicated with the ""so
House. and then, by direction went o'e'
once carving a chart Of Northern hu%o' ""~
the dspatch from Admiral watson
The Admiral appears to have acteo a' o"oo
,,.,or rece,nt Of the news. for he Informed the
N-o,v Denartment that he had sent message
ocross m Hong Kong 10 secure the help otpex-
narienced wreckers to proceed at once 10 the
soare of the accident. The Navy Department
has already a constructor on the ground IN the
,e,son of Lieutenant Hobson who may De
oaIed on to assume charge Of the wreckins
operations
CHANCE OF SAVING VESSEL.
A careful reading of the dispatch from Ad-
miral Watson convinces the officials that there
+, a fair chance Of saving the Charleston. They
say that the name Of the ship Is painted about
three or four feet below the rail. This is an In
dication that the main deck is above water.
which would make the work Of pumping out the
hull much easier.
II she s settled down aft, as reported. there
is less danger of injurng the bottom further by
pounding Much depends. however, on the
weather. as the wreck lies In the full sweep OF
the monsoons which prevail at this season.
For the safety OF the officers and crew not
the slightest apprehension exists. The Helena
must already have reached the island. which Ia
about a days run from Lingayen. and. with the
Oregon which followed closely, must have re-
moved the Charestons crew several days ago.
AS soon as possible a court OF inquiry Will be
called to fix the responsibility for the wreckng
of the ship This will follow irrespective OF any
action of the Navy Department, and Will be
ordered by Admiral Watson. Should II appear
that the wreck caused by the negligence OF
any OF the Charleston's officers. court maxt~A