Oxford Democrat., 1921-03-15
Reunion Survivors Samoan Hurricane

Reunion Survivors Samoan Hurricane
There will be reunion of the sur.
vivors of the Samoan hurricane disaster
at the City Club, Boston, on Wednesday
of this week. This Is Interesting be-
cause Paris man, Rear Admiral 81. W.
Lyon, was lieutenant on Rear Admiral
L. A. Kimberly's flagship, the Trenton,
at that time, and the fgurehesd of that
old frigate, lion, adorns the porch of
his residence on Paris Hill, and makes
an appropriate addition to the owners
cognomen in naming the place, "Lyons-
den."
This hurricane occurred thirty two
years ago on March 10th. At that time
the Samoan Islands were under Q part.
nersbip government-American, English
and German-and each had feet OF
ships at Apia, the chief town Of the
group, to see that the other partners did
not get away with the islands. The
harbor at Apia Is little semi.circular
bay with coral reef in front to serve
as breakwater. Within this hsrbor on
that March morning In 1889 swinging at
anchor were seven men-Of-war and ten
other vessels. The gale came on with
great suddenness and fury, from a point
which swept the water through the
opening in the reef and into the harbor.
The Calliope, the English corvette, had
steam up, and so was able to get out to
sea; but the three American and three
German warships had not, SO were
caught like rats In trap and wrecked.
Some 142 men of the American and Ger
man navies were drowned.
After the storm the Trenton lay with
her keel resting on the bottom of the
bay and her upper deck just sticking
out of water. Every vessel so long as
she remains on the naval register must
have q commander. What there was
left of the crew were csmped on shore
but what was left Of the Trenton must
also have crew and Admiral, then
Lieutenant, Lyon was made her com.
mander. This first command is one of
the laughable things the admiral has to
tell OF his naval career.
All three American vessels were badly
wrecked but after examination 1t was
thought possible the Nipsio might be
saved. She was taken to the harbor of
Papgo- Papgo on what is now the Amer
iC6u VI tuO
States had some naval stores laid up,
and refltted as best could be done with
what was at hand. Then she proceeded
to San Francisco with Admiral Lyon In
command. The story of the voyage In
this floating coffin is one of the admi-
rails best sea yarns. The speed she
could make was spail-like, and she used
vast amount of coal.
Midway on the trip she had to tie mp
within the atoll Fanniug's Island, where
she awaited Q now cargo Of GOAL. This
island was occupied by Sootcbman and
a crew of coolies, engaged In raising
cocoanuts.
While at Psngo- Pango, Lieutenant
Lyon and his men were entertained by
the natives. A feast was given them.
Among the strange viands and drinks
served was kava, beverage which re-
sembles soap-suds in taste. Il was
served by beYy of Polynesian girls,
who were very anxious their guests
should know they we're cleanly In pre-
pairing this drink. The kava root from
which the beverage is made was reduced
to pulp by being chewed in the mouths
of the girls, and they made great pre-
tence of washing their mouths before
their guests to attest to cleanliness.
So this historic hurricane and the re.
union is of considerable interest to
Oxford County people.