Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-11-17
STORY OF THE WRECK
Fuller Details of the Disaster to
the Cruiser Charleston.
LIES PRACTICALLY In THE OPEN SEA.
Little Hope of Saving Her Parapher-
MALTA and Other Valuable Con-
tents-Details of the Es-
cape of Her Crew.


cape of Her Crew.
Manila, Nov. 15.-Further details re.
garding the grounding of the United
States cruiser Charleston show that she
struck an unchartered coral reef ten
miles east of Kamiguin island. Her
stern was almost submerged and the
bow almost out of water. A heavy sea
was on, and the cruiser began rolling
violently. The water-tight doors were
| quickly closed, but were stove in under
the engine compartment, the largest of
the ship. After the first efforts to right
her, the officers feared she might slide
off, because of the heavy sea, and there
fore abandoned the attempt to save her.
They hurried to the launches and boats
and rowed away, prepared to fight for a
landing, with two colt guns, 1874 rifles
and ten days rations. Some Of the Off
GERS and men were dressed only in pa
jamas and their underclothing. The
breechlocks of the cannon were re-
moved before the boats put off. Two
hours after the Charleston struck all
had gotten away. The report that the
crew remained two days on the vessel
is inaccurate. A party returned two
days later, but found it impossible to
save anything.
The first landing was made on little
island with a front of barren rocks.
Next day the boats again took 10 the
water and proceeded to Kamiguin
island, where a landing was made in the
expectation that fighting would be nee
essary. So far from this being the case,
however, the Charleston's men found a
half-savage people, who regarded them
with curiosity rather than hostility.
On the third day the storm had greatly
subsidized, and Lieut.. John D. Mcdonald,
with Boatswain Dominick Glynn and
six men, started for the Gulf of Lingay-
en- in 3O-foot sailing launch, hoping
to find an American warship, but en-
tirely ignorant of Gen. Wheaton's expe-
dition.
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, flying the union
jack down, clad in their underclothing
and drenched to the skin, the officer and
his companions overlook the transport
Aztec, which carried them to the battle
ship Oregon.
The gunboat Helena was due to ar
rive at Kamiguin 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.
Considered Unavoidable.
In naval circles the accident is con-
sidered quite unavoidable. The only
wonder is that there are not more such
disasters in Philippine waters, which
are most indifferently charted. The
Charleston lies practically in the open
sea, and there is no hope of saving her
or the valuable pharaphernalia and
contents of the cruiser.
Omcial Report.
Washington, Nov. 15.-Admiral Wat
son cables to the navy department the
following official report of the wreck
of the cruiser Charleston;
Manila, Nov. Richardson wrecked
unoharted coral reef three miles north
northwest of Guinapak rocks, north coast
Luzon, $50 morning of November 2.
Everybody safely landed Kamiguin island
armed with rifles and two Colts. Natives
friendly Mcdonald made Lingayen gull
Qn) sailing launch. When he left no OPP
portunity for examination of wreck
Northeast monsoon, heavy sea prevailing
Reports ship struck easily; then thumped
violently. Fire room completely flooded
first water-tight doors closed promptly.
Ship lies settled aft. water one foot from
name. Well out of water forward; APP
parently very steep bank; ten days pro-
visions one-half rations landed. Helena
dispatched from Lingayen by Oregon TO
Kamiguin; due to-day.
(Signed) WATSON"
Watson Acted Promptly.
Admiral Watson appears to have act
ed at once upon receipt of the news, for
he informed the navy department that
he had cabled across to Hong-Kong to
secure the help of experienced wreck
ers to proceed at once to the scene of
the accident. The navy apartment has
already a constructor on the ground in
the person of Lieut.. Hobson, who may
BE called on to assume charge of the
wreeking operations.
A careful reading of the cablegram
from Admiral Watson conyinces the Of
fcials that there is q fair CHANGE of say
ing the Charleston. They say thai the
name of the ship is painted about three
or four feet below the rail. This is an
Indication that the main deck is above
water, which would make the work of
pumping out the hull much easier. If
she is settled down aft, as reported,
there is less danger Of injuring the bot
tom further by pounding. Much de-
ponds, however, on the weather, as the
wreck lies in the full sweep of the mon
soons which prevail at this season.
VIII BE Mustered Out.
Washington, Nov. 15.-The last of the
state volunteers, the Tennessee regi
meilt. will be mustered out of service
on November 90. This will end The
service of state troops called out for the
Spanish war.
CRESCO MARKETS
Corrected each issue.)
GRAIN.
w uedL o.. .. DUG o.
6t!leS'..''. ....... 70 "
Cats ...........,.-,"........ l1G1
Timothy Seed nor Dushei ~ 101 7,