The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-15
Confirms the Press Dispatches With
Discrepancy in Dates
RAN ON HIDDEN UNCHARTED REEF
With Thirty-Five Fathoms of Water
OH Both sides For Two Days aud
Nights She Worked 10 Get on
Bnt Typhoon Compelled
tho Crew to Take TO
Their Boats.

MANILA. Nov. 1A-l2:35 j. M.-The
United states Cruiser Charleston ran
aground near Vigan ON hidden reef with
thrty-nye fathoms OF water on both sides.
She worked her machinery for two days
and nights in trying to get aiioat' but a
typhoon arising. the crew were compelled
TO take 10 their boats and seek refuge on
a small island five miles away. The ma
tiyes are friendly. Lieutenant Mcdonald
and q number Of sailors put off in "a small
boat and reached the Callao. which brought
them 10 Manila
The gunboat Helena has been despatched
to bring away the crew
Lieutenant Mcdonald describes the
Charleston when he last saw her. az hard
and fast aground with her bottom badly
stove and well ont of the water.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 1.-THE following
was received at the Navy Department
| from Admiral Watson to-day:
Manila. Nov A.
Escaped Spanish prisoners az san Fa-
| hlan report seeing Gilmore November lst
I'm Tarlac with five men: all well. lie
| crossed mountain from Baler in May with
thirteen men. Location OF other eight un-
| known Have cabled Hong Kong for
SALVAGE for Charleston.
CSienedl WATSON.
OFFICIAL REPORT.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 14.-Admiral Wat
son cables 10 the Navy Department the
| following official report Of the wreck
/ OF the cruiser Charleston:
Manila November l3.
charleston wrecked uncharted coral
! reef three miles north northwest OF
Guinapak rocks. north coast Luzon. $50
morning of November 9Th. Everybody
safely landed Kamiguin Island armed
with rifles and two colts. Natives
friendly Mcdonald made Lingaven Gulf
sailing launch When be left no oppor-
tunity examination condition OF wreck
ing operations Fire room completely
flooded first water tight doors closed
promptly. Ship lies settled aft. water
one foot from name Well ont OF water
forward. apparently very steep bank. ten
days provisions one half rations land
ed Helena dispatched from Lineayen
by oregon 90 Kamiquin, due to-day
(Signed). "WATSON."
DISCREPANCY IN DATES.
There is a discrepancy I'm the date Of the
wreck of the Charleston as given I'm Ad-
miral Watsons message and in the press
dispatches. 10 is probable that the sew
enth instant is correct and Admiral Wat
sons dispatch was confused In transmits
sion. There WAS some surprise expressed
that so long a. time elapsed since the
wreck before news OF the fact reached the
Navy Department.
10 appears. however, that this delay was
inevitable. owing TO the isolated position
of the wreck Kamieuin Island is small
island living about north of Aparfi which
Is the most northerly port on the Island of
Tuzon. II Is distant about 250 tilcs from
Lingayen Gulf. whore are stationed the
nearest of the warships OF Wats0ns fleet.
When Acting Secretary Alien reached the
Navy Department this morning he com
muuicated with The White House and then
hv direction OF the President went over
at once. carrying a chart OF Northern
LuZ0n and the cablcgram from Watson.
Admiral Watson appears 10 have acted
at once upon receipt Of the Lews. for he
Informed the Navy Department that he
had cabled across 10 Hong Kong 10 se-
euro the help of eNperienc wreckcrs 10
praceod Immediately 10 The scene of the
accident The Navy Department has
already "a constructor on The ground iu
the person of Lieutenant HObson. who
may be called on 10 assume charge Of the
wrecking operations.
FAIR CHANCE or SAVING HER.
A careful reading Of the cab.egram
from Admiral Watson conyinCes the Off
ciais that there is "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 indication
that the main deck is above water. which
would make the work OF pumping out
Che hun much easier. II she is settled
down aft as reported. there Is less dam
ger OF iniuring the bottom further by
pounding. Much depends. however. on
the weather. as the wreck is in the fun
sweep of the Monsoons which prevail at
this season
For IT, safety OF the officers and crew
not the slightest apprehension exists
The Helena must already have reached
the island. which is about "a days run
from Lingayen and with the oregon
which followed closely must have re-
moved the Charlestons crew several days
ago.
As soon as possible a court OF inquiry
VIII be called 10 fix the responsibility
for tie wreck!nE Of the ship. This will
folow irrespective OF any action Of the
Navy Department. and will be ordered
by Admiral watson. Should II appear
that the wreck was caused by the negll-
gence Of any of the Charles,ons officers,
l court martial will follow the Inquiry.
but in view Of the exceedingly dangerous
character OF the north coast OF Luzon.
ana the lack Of necessary aids 20 navi-
cation. IL Is not believed % be probable
hat any Of the officers VII be found Sc
rerely censurable.
Captain George W. Pigman is in COM
mand Of the ship.
FURTHER DETAILS.
MANILA, Nov. ii-S p. M-Further
details regarding the grounding OF the
United States Cruiser Charleston show
that She struck an uncharted coral reef ten
miles east OF Kamiguin Island Her
stern was almost submerged and the bow
almost out OF water. 4 hesyy sea was
on and the cruiser began rolling violently
The water tight doors were quickly closed.
but were stove In under the engine COM
partment the largest Of the ship.
After the first efforts 20 right her, the
officers feared she might slide OFF because