Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-12
THE NAVY WILL GIVE AID
TWO VESSELS WILL BE SENT TO
GALVESTON.
Feared That the Disaster IL Irretrlev-
McKibbin's InvestigatiOns.

In accordance with the decision of the
federal authorities to do everything in their
power to relieve the destitution and suffer
ing at Galveston. the Navy Department de-
cided today to send two vessels to the
stricken island Immediately. and orders
were issued to the commanders Of the gun
boat Bancroft. now at New London. Conn.,,
and the tug Samoset, at Pensacola. Fla,
to proceed Immediately to Galveston. The
Bancroft Is light-draft gunbeat of about
800 tons and the Samoset Is an n-going
tug of about 24O tons. Both, II is believed,
will be able to render valuable services in
many ways to the municipal authorities.
The Samoset should reach Galveston Fri
day, but the Bancroft VIII not be able to
get to the afflicted city before next week.
Fears Disaster IL Irretrievable.
The acting quartermaster general has re-
ceived the following from Ga1veston:
GALVESTON, September IL.
"Quartermaster General. Washington.
referring to my telegrans of 9th and
10th 1 have. subject to approval, suspended
Fort Crockett construction contracts, and
again urgently recommend that contractors
be paid for labor and material in places
and on ground all swept away and lost be-
yond recovery. Fortifications at Crockett,
Jacinto and Travis all destroyed and can't
be rebuilt on present sites. Recommend
continuance Of my Office here only long
enough to recover Crockett office safes and
morning gun, when located, also to close
accounts and ship my Office and recovered
property where directed
Il fear Galveston is destroyed beyond
it's ability to recover. Loss Of life and
property appalling.
BAXTER. Quartermaster."
The FOrtifcations.
dispatch are situated so as to command the
harbor of Galveston. Fort San Jacinto is
on the northwest end Of Galveston Island.
Across the channel leading into Galveston
bay, between the island and the mainland
and north of Jacinto, Is Bolivar Point, upon
which Is situated Fort Travis,
AT the southeastern end of the Island,
upon which Galveston Is situated is Fort
Crockett. 1t is supposed that the artillery
men of Battery O. 1st Artillery. were dis
tributed about these three forts. No in
formation has yet been received whether
there has been any loss of life in this bat
terry. Gen. Wilson, chief Of engineers, has
the losses upon the Notifications, nor has
the engineer officer in charge Of fortifica-
tions been heard from.
Gen. Mckibbin's investigation.
Adjt. Gen. Corbin has received the follow
ing telegram from Gen. MeKibbin, COM
manding the Department of Texas, who has
been ordered to proceed to Galveston. and
report to the War Department the extent
of the storm losses at that place:
HOUSTON, Tex, September II, 1900.
"Adjutant General Washington. d. c.:
Arrived Houston 3 a. m. Leave on spe-
cial relief train at 9 for end of track. Hope
to get into Galveston today. Ferguson (aid)
remains here, loading barge with rations
and tentage, assisted by mayor of Houston.
'.McKIBBIN."
Adjt. Gen. Corbin sent telegram to Gov.
Sayers today, saying that If the federal gov
ernment can be of any further service to
the people of Texas in their present trouble.
within the limits Of the statutes, to tel
egraph him in what way.
France Expresses Sympathy.
Acting Secretary of State Hin authorizes
the announcement that the French govern
ment through its charge faffaires. has ex-
pressed its deep sympathy on account of
the great calamity caused by floods in
Texas. and the appreciation Of this gov
ernment OF the kind sentiments expressed
by the government OF France has been
communicated thrOuph NJ Thiehaut