The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-11-15

Also Be Lost-After Removing
the Breech Blocks of the Can
non, the Officers and Crew
Abandon the Warship, Landing
the Next Day on Kamaguin
Island.
MANILA, Nov. IA, s p. m.-Further
details regarding the grounding OF the
United States cruiser Charleston snow
that she struck an uncharted coral reef
ten miles east of Kamaguin Island. Her
stern was almost submerged, and the
bow almost out of water A heavy
sea was on, and the cruiser began roll
ing 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 OF
because of the heavy sea, and they
abandoned the attempt to save her.
They hurried to the launches and boats
and rowed away, prepared to light Tor
a landing with two colt guns. l3r III
fles and ten days rations. Some OF the
officers and men were dressed only IN
pajamas and their underclothing.
The breech blocks of the cannon were
removed before the boats put Oft. 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 a lit
tie island, with a front of barren rocks
Next day the boats again took to the
water and proceeded to Kamaguin ISL
and, where a landing was made in the
expectation that firing would be nee
essary. So far from this being the
case, however, the Charleston's meE
found a half-savage people, who re-
garded them with curiosity rather than
hostility. On the third day the storm
had greatly subsidized, and Lieutenant
John D. Mcdonald, with BoatsW ain
Dominick Glynn and six men, started
for the Gulf of Lingayen in thirty
loot sailing launch, hoping to fad san
american warship. but entirely lg-
norant of General Wheaton's expedition.
Lieutenant Mcdonald was four days
affoat. keeping under shelter of the
hostile shore, on account of the high
seas, being most of the time in falling
rain Finally, flying the Union Jack
down. clad in their Undertaking and
drenched to the skin, the officer and
his companions overlook the transport
Aztec, which carried them to the bat
tleship Oregon.
The gunboat Helena was due to ar
rive at Kamaguin Island yesterday.
The Charleston was returning from a
FIVE weeks cruise along the eastern
coast of Luzon, and Admiral Watson
was beginning to be uneasy. He sup
posed. however, 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 Philippine waters, which
remain indifferently charted
The Charleston lies practically IN the
open sea, and there is no hope of say
ing her or the valuable paraphernalia
and contents of the cruiser.
ADMIRAL WATSON'S REPORT OF
THE DISASTER.
Watson cables to the Navy Department
the following official report of the wreck
of the cruiser Charleston:
THE Charleston was wrecked on an
uncharted coral reef three miles north
northwest of Guinapak Rocks, north
coast of Luzon, at $50 on the morning
of November I'd. Everybody safely
landed on Kamaguin Island, with rifles
and two Colts. Natives friendly Nc
Donald made Lingayen Gulf in sailing
luaneh When he left there was nc
opportunity for an examination OF the
wreck Northeast monsoon and heavy
sea prevailing. He reports that the
ship struck easily, then thumped vlo'
lently. Fireroom compartment flooded
First fright doors closed promptly
Ship lies settled aft; water one foot
from name Well out of water forward
Apparently very steep bank. Ten days
provisions, one-half rations. landed
Helena dispatched from Lingayen by
the Oregon TO Kamaguin, and is due
to-day WATSON
There is a discrepancy in the date
of the wreck of the Charleston as given
in Admiral Watson's message and In
the press dispatches. 1t is probable
that the It'll instant is correct and Adj
miral Watson's dispatch was confused
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. It appears, how
ever. that this delay was inevitable, ow-
ing to the isolated position of the wreck.
xamaguin Island is a small island lying
about north of Appari, which is the
most northerly port on the island 81
Juzon. 1t is distant about go miles
from Lingayen Gulf. where are sta
toned the nearest of the warships OF
Watson's feet
when Acting Secretary Allen. reached
the Navy Department this morning he
communicated with the White House
and then by direction of the President
went over at once, carrying a chart OF
Northern Luzon and the cablegram.
Admiral Watson appears to have
acted at once upon receipt of the news
for he informed the Navy Department
that he had cabled across to Hongkong
to secure the help of experienced wreck
ers to proceed at once to the scene oil
the wreck. The Navy Department has
already a constructor on the ground ir
the person of Lieutenant Hobson, wis
may be called upon to assume charge
of the wreckage operations.