The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-07
.'TERRIIBI.. trial I.
OU.s.SAlLIO.:|''R|,|'s'';,
Letter Received Tells Of Wreck Of
the Charleston.
HOW THE CREW WAS RESCUED.
soIr. L.M. Lacy, of the Gunboat Helena,
in a Letter TO 4 Friend Hcrc,
Graphically Describes tho
Circumstances.

A letter has just been received in Rich
mcnd FROM Mr.. L. NJ, Lacy, of the gun
boat Helena, now in the Philippine IS
lards. tBder date OF November 26th, IN
which he tells of the rescue OF the
Cliur.es tens crew, which It will be re-.
membered was wrecked on Camisuan
reef, about the middle of November
On a cruise out after iilbusters and
snt sg!ers,in October. the Helena had her
propeller broken and was compelled TO
put back 10 Manila to await the arrival
OF new one from the States During a
portion Of October the Helena was three
miles up a; river, engaged in raising the
.:Araya.'' a small sunboat. which was
scuttled by Sraniards when Dewey sunk
their fleet. They had two weeks hard
work on her.
The Helena laid Up at Manila Until
November 5th, when she had her prope!-
Ter patched.u and conveyed $500 troops
to Lingayen Cuff to take WaSupaw,
which is the northwestern terminus Of.
the Manila and Dagupan railroad
Speaking of the landing az Dagupan,
Mr.. Lacy says. We shelled the letch for
q, couple of hours, and then commenced
landing. The '.niscers'' fired into the first
boat wounding two men and killing an
other lust as he stepped ashore. We final
" got all landed, and driving the mig
gers before US, advanced on DaSupaa,
which we found deserted. We now hold
the whole line of the railroad from Manila
to Dasupan, and have through trains
daily
Continuins,5 he gives graphic descrip-
ton of the wreck of the Charleston, which
ran into an uncl1artered reef in storm
sThe same night of the capture OF Dag
upan about 10 O'Clock, the Oregon came
in with the Charleston.s sailing launch:
containing eight men and two officers.
-f,al l,~,r ~>s~ -os3 u
reported that the Charleston had run on
a reef about 500 miles north. and was
total wreck. we were Immediately order
ed to her assistance. 81
Although we We're using patched-up
propeller, we made good time. and when
we arrived there we learned that her
crew (2I7 men) were on small island.
bout thirty miles away, where they had
gone in the ships boats. Their grub had
given out and they were living on fruit
we took them all on board and put to
sea- About four hours out We ran into
terrific typhoon. We turned and ran
back for the island. After eight hours
hard work we sighted it about midnight.
We tried to turn the island, and get under
the lee or far side of the island. where
we would be somewhat protected from
the heavy sea, and came near running
ashore-had ienly so yards to spare-and
we made it.
w tH-bOUA> = OLA /ShA
Whea we got under the lee. we
| let go tine anchor and it carried away
We 4 4 let go the other and 1t held. If
it had hot there would have been few left
to tell the tale, as we were within three
cables length Of a rocky shore. and the
sea, a regular whirlpool of wrath. threat
ening every minute to batter our shipEto
pieces We lay there weather-bound for
six days in a raging hell, and the ship
crowded to its utmost capacity We
finally started for Manila. and on the
way met the oregon and two more YES
sells looking for us. They signalled that
we had been reported in Manila as lost.
but we got back all right. suppose you
have seen all about it In the Papers.
Notwithstanding, he has been kept quite
busy he has a few moments for senti-
ment, as he says, II often lie out on deck
under the bright tropical skies at night.
with my old pipe-my old friend who
stood by me SO faithfully! during the long
dreary days of the Cuban .war-and think
OF the days that are gone. If we only
could recall them. Here I am Mt twenty
two an .'od SALT who will hardly know
how to address {, lady when he gets back
to the States. It's going to be hard for
me to give up the sea. 1t Is hard life.
but.I like it. don't think will ever SET
tie down unless I get married and that
will hold me for a while. guess.
The cruiser Newark arrived here yes
erday. and the Brooklyn IS expected at
anv time.