DISASTROUS GALE AT SAMOA.

FEARFUL LOSS OF LIFE.

SIX GERMAN AND AMERICAN WAR

VESSELS WRECKED.

ELEVEN COASTERS DRIVEN ASHORE,

H.M.S CALLIOPE SPLENDIDLY

HANDLED,

EXCELLENT BEHAVIOUR OF SAMOANS.

FEARS OF A FAMINE,

(Pee United Pbess Association.)

Auckland, March 30. News by the Mariposa dated Apia, March 16, says:—

In the midst of a terrible hurricane which occurred to-day six oufc of the seven warships in porfc were lost. The American ships Nipsic, Vandalia, and Trenton (Admiral Kimberley's flagship), and the three German ships H.I.G.M.SOlga, Eber, and Adler. The Americans lost 4 ofiicers and 46 men, and 'the Germans 9 officers and 87 men. Two iron barques, one being the Peter Godeffroi, and 11 coasting vessels were driven ashore, four men being drowned, bringing the total loss of human life up to 150 in all.

The vessels during the hurricane endeavoured to steam out to the open sea, but the storm was too strong for any of them to get oufc of harbour save the British cruiser Calliope (Captain Kane), which succeeded in effecting a passage to the ocean right in the teeth of a fearful gale. The other ill-

fated'vessels, though with all anchors down, were blown ashore, numbers being washed overboard. The "majority of those who were saved got ashore after being 24 hours in the spars and rigging. As the Calliope passed the Trenton on her way put, the Americans gave the former three cheers, though they did not have sufficient power to make headway themselves. The townspeople of Apia were on the beach during the most of tho night lending what assistance they could, but the sea was too rough to launch boats. Not another vessel that was in Apia harbour at the time of the hurricane escaped but the Calliope, and nearly all are total wrecks, the shores being strewn with wreckage for miles. The Calliope returned after being two days 'out,but has since proceeded to Sydney. Hundreds of natives were sent down by Mataafa and Malietoa, under command of one of their chiefs, and did splendid work in saving lives aud assisting in every way they possibly could. They made no distinction between Germans and Americans, but worked always in a brave aud unselfish manner in their, humane efforts to do what they could. The town presents a very dismal appearance— not that any buildings of value have been destroyed, but sheds have been levelled, wharves, jetties, and fences destroyed, and the streets' aud beach are strewn with debris and wreckage of every description. Enormous damage must have been done to the orange and cocoanut groves.

There was one accident! on board the Calliope. A heavy sea came aboard, and lifting one of the crew off his feet, dashed him with such violence to the deck that he was killed. The American officers and Captain Kane's own officers are unanimous and emphatic in their expressions of admiration afc the magnificent way in which he handled his ship. The Calliope had to pass between the Trenton and the reef with only a few yards to spare, bufc the thing was accomplished in the most skilful manner. The Trenton's ofiicers took off their hats to Captain Kane as the Calliope went by, and the American sailors cheered him heartily. Captain Kane says this spontaneous encouragement was the handsomest compliment he has ever received. Captain Kane declares that he has had enough of Samoa. He leaves shortly for Sydney. The Germans have some hopes of getting the Olga off, and are proceeding to lighten her. Good order prevails amongst the shipwrecked crews. Discharging and dismantling the stranded vessels is steadily going on, the Samoan natives assisting. Bodies are now and then washed up on the beach, some in a horribly mutilated condition. One recovered on the 19th had lost one arm, which had been torn from the socket, and the head was completely smashed. The Vandalia's safe, containing 43,000d0l in gold, has been recovered from the wreck. H.M.S. Calliope will most probably proceed to Sydney to-morrow.

A DETAILED ACCOUNT.

Apia was visited by one of the severest gales experienced for years on Saturday the 9fch. On Friday the barometer fell to 29*10, and on Saturday morning about 2 o'clock a gale set in from the north-east and blew with great force. About 5 o'clock nearly all the vessels in harbour were dragging their anchors, and at half-past 5 H.I.G.M.S. Eber drifted ashore on to the inside reef. Her side was immediately stove in and she heeled over into deep water. One of her officers and a number of the men jumped on the reef and made for the shore, and with great struggling in the surf we believe 10 or 12 saved fcheir lives, while all who remained by the ship went down with the vessel. About 75 men, including the captain and officers, were lost. About 6.30 o'clock H.I.G.M.S. Adler also weufc ashore a few hundred yards further to the westward. She was lifted completely on to the reef by the surf, and fortunately heeled over towards the shore. Many of her men reached land during the day, and all, with tho exception of about 15, were saved. Many were lost in their attempts to reach the shore, as the current was too strong. A boat capsised, and four or five lives were lost, but others were saved by the Samoans, who came in great numbers to render assistance. About 10 o'clock the s.s. Vandalia dragged her anchor, and gradually dropped down to nearly the same position as that occupied by the Nipsic. By skilful management she also cleared the reef, but before she could reach the sandy shore she suffered some iujnry to her bottom, for she suuk within 100 ft from where the Nipsic was grounded. In a shorfc time her bull was completely submerged, and her officers aud crew had to take refuge in the rigging. Some of the crew risked their lives by attempting to swim ashore, but the curreut tooK many of the poor fellows away. Hero the natives rendered great service. They rushed into the foaming surf and saved several of the swimmers who were nearly exhausted. In one instance tho natives themselves risked too much. They ventured into the current too far, nud two of them lost their lives. Ifc was really heartrending to look on the Vandalia, seeing all her people shivering in the rigging, almost within a stone's throw of the shore, during the wholo day, and no assistance being available. Some 20 men were saved by swimming te the Nipsic, and then "by dropping by a line attached to the shore, and held by natives and some of tho men of war sailors. Fully 42 lives have been lost from this ship—including Captain Schumacher and some four officers—and many were accidentally injured on board. H.M.S. Calliope, the U.S.S. Trenton, and tho Olga wore then seen dragging towards tho beach, but the Calliope took everybody by surprise by steaming well oufc in the face of tho gale, and went safely out of the harbour. The Trenton and Olga were now the only-men-of-war left that had not yet come ashore. Tho Trenton unfortunately shipped a sea which got down to the furnaces, and she was then unable to keep up sufficient steam to mako headway against the wind and sea. She drifted down aud came stern on to tbe Olga, receiving considerable damage, hor rudder beiug carried away and propeller rendered useless. She held on fairly well to her anchor till 8 p.m., when she dropped alongside of the Vandalia, her stern bumping on the ground within 50ft of the reef. Auother of the Vandalia's men, who were on the rigging of that vessel, managed to gefc ou board the Trenton. Tiie Olga was splendidly managed, and by really good seamanship was beached iv one of the best positions, and is now lying near Vaisagivo river. Her officers and crew were saved. All the men-of-war, with the exception of H.M.S. Calliope, which went put to sea; are either wrecked or on shore,

A LATER ACCOUNT,

Respecting the Samoan disaster, the following fuller intelligence is to hand under date March 13:—

In the, forenoon of Friday, March 15, the barometer went down, to 2910—a sure indica-

tion that a heavy blow Was imminent.

In the

afternoon of the same day it rose a little, and strong hopes were entertained that it would

pass off, as on a previous occasion, when it went down very low, and only a moderate gale was the result. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon it

began to blow pretty stiff, and ifc increased all

night until it became a terrible gale with a frightful sea running. The men-of-war had all

steam up during the early part of Friday, and their commanders naturally thought that they would be able to steam up to their anchorage and hold their own against almost any wind or sea that was likely to come against them. In this, however, they were mistaken, for all, except fche Calliope, which steamed

oufc of harbour in the very teeth of tbe storm,

fouud they were gradually being driven before the terrible wind and sea that was driving right into the mouth of the harbour. The first to drag aud go on the reef was the Eber.

This was between 5 and 6 o'clock on Saturday morning. A heavy sea carried her right on to the top of the edge of the reef; the vessel rolled first on one side and then on the other; then she lurched heavily, staggered ana shivered, and went down in deep water out of sight with Captain Wallis and all his crew on board.

Nearly all seemed to be below at the time. A few managed to struggle away from the sinking ship and struck out for the shore. One officer and five or six men landed in safety, but Captain Wallis and the rest of the officers and about 80 men perished.

In about half an hour after the engulfment of the Eber, the Adler was liftedjbodily on to the reef and thrown on her beam ends with her decks facing the shore. Then commenced a

fearful struggle for life. Many plunged boldly into the sea and reached shore safely. Others clung to the rigging and bulwarks, and some were picked np by a boat. Ifc was not long before the ship's masts and spars went, and then no sign of life on the vessel was lefb. The captain and some of his officers and men were saved, but aboufc 20 or 25 lives were lost. It was thought that no one was left on board, but on Sunday when a boat went off to the wreck the doctor was found imprisoned in his cabin, still alive and comparatively unhurt. The wreck still lies on the beach a most melancholy looking object.

It was not long before the disasters to the German warships were followed by an almost equal misfortune to the American vessels. The

German vessel Olga came into collision with the Nipsic, and stove in the smoke stack of the latter in such a manner as to render her steam power useless. She began to drag, and Captain Muller then decided to run her ashore in a safe placeif possible. This he at length succeeded in doing just opposite the American consulate on a sandy beach. She was safe, and had not an unfortunate attempt been made to land it is probable none of her crew would have been lost; but one of the officers ordered a boat to be lowered from the stern for the purpose of taking a line ashore. Almost immediately after being manned ifc capsized, and six or seven of the crew were drowned, the rest reaching shore in safety. The Nipsic appears to be comparatively uninjured, but there is little likelihood of her being floated off again. It is asserted that the Olga also came into collision with another of the American warships, I the Vandalia, which commenced to drift towards

the spot where the Nipsic lay beached. The commander of the Vandalia, Captain Schumacher, had been knocked against a gatling gun early in the morning, aud he lay helpless on the poop—alternately insensible and delirious. The vessel's bottom must have been injured, for she began to fill, and when about 50yds westward of fche Nipsic she settled down in the water deep enough for the sea to wash her fore and aft. Some of the officers were on the poop, and several were washed overboard and drowned. A number of the men,reached the shore in safety, while others perished in the attempt. Captain Schumacher was swept into the sea and drowned. The rest of the ofiicers and men mounted the rigging and clang to it all day long, though now and then their number was lessened by an exhausted man dropping off into the water. The vessel was not more than 70yds from the shore, which was lined with hundreds of Samoans and Europeans, but nothing could be done to help them. The natives rushed into the foaming surf and saved several of the swimmers, nearly exhausted. In one instance the natives themselves risked too much. They ventured into the current too far and two of them lost their lives. Anotheraccount says that when the Vandalia got near the reef she tried to follow the Nipsic's example and get on to the sandy beach close to where that vessel lay. It was hoped at one time that she would be able to accomplish this, but being a larger vessel, drawing more water, and the tide being also much lower, she struck a sunken reef just opposite M'Arthur and Co.'s store, and there stuck fast, terrible seas breaking over her from stem to stern, and she gradually settled down in the afternoon until nothing was visible but her masts and the top of the bulwarks. It was a sight few people who saw ifc will ever forget. The rigging and tops of that ill-fated ship covered with men, and the wind and rain and sea dashing against them. A rope was get from the Nipsic to her, aud a few got off that way, but it was soon found that it was safer to keep to the masts. There they clung until the flagship came down upon them, wheu most of thera got. on board of her. This was about 10 o'clock ou Saturday night, so that they had been shivering on the rigging for over 12 hours. The warship Olga, the largest of the German vessels, became unmanageable early in the morning, and continued to run amuck against other vessels. Finally it was determined to beach her. This was successfully accomplished. She lies half way between the British and American consulates. No casualties are reported on her. The Calliope, the only British warship then in Apia harbour, was observed to be dragging her anchor early in the morning, but having good steam power she was enabled to make a good fight. Soon, however, ifc was evident that Captain Kane saw that the struggle would be hopeless. CJollisions wifch one or two of fche ofcher vessels occurred, and her figurehead was carried away and drifted ashore, and the captain then decided to steam the vessel to sea. This was a matter of great difficulty, for other vessels were in the way, and some amount of collision was unavoidable, but nothing serious happened, the ship was beautifully handled. She had to pass the Ameriau flagship Trenton so close that if either vessel had rolled towards the other the yards would have come to grief. Fortunately, just in nick of time, the Calliope rolled outwards, and before she recovered the danger was over. As she left the Trenton behind the crew of the latter gave her a hearty cheer, the crew of the Calliope responding, and the officers of the Trenton lifted their hats to Captain Kane. No doubt both thought that their chances of weathering tho storm were but small—the one vessel going out to sea in the face of such a terrible gale, and the other dragging helplessly down towards the reef. After the Calliope passed, the Trenton came slowly down in the direction of the Olga. The captaiu of the latter vessel seeing that a collision was inevitable, owing to the Trenton's engines being powerless and the vessel not under control, and also owing to its being impossible in the face of such a gale to steer clear, with great judgment slipped his anchors, veered round, and beached his vessel in the best manner and in the very best place he could have done. He saw that by holding on tho vessels must have collided amidships, and the destruction of both would have been almost certain. As it was the Olga did not gefc away until her bowsprit came in contact with the Trenton's quarter gallery, both of which were carried away. The Trenton then came on towards the reef, and it was feared that she was going right on to the place where the Eber had gone to pieces. Fortunately Che wind changed a little, and by good management with storm trysail she was guided down along the reef and grounded very close to where the Vandalia was lying.'-. It was nearly dark by this time, and the storm of wind and rain appeared to be as fierce as ever. Lines were thrown from the Trenton into the Vandalia's rigging, and most of those who still clung there swung themselves across to the Trenton's deck; but some failed, and falling iuto the water were drowned. Shortly after the mizzeu and foremast went by the board. The total loss of life from the Vandalia was four officers and about 40 men. Next moruiug the wind aud sea went down, and-the survivors got safely ashore. What a sceno'of desolation Apia beach presented on Sunday moruiug! The whole foreshore was strewn with wreckage so far as one could see. Hundreds of natives sent by Malietoa, Mataafa, and under the command of Seumanataffa and Anai. did splended work in saving lives, and assisting in every way they possibly could. They made no distinction between Germans and Americans, and they are certainly deserving of the highest praise for the brave and unselfish way in which they acted. All tho merchant vessels in harbour, excepting a little schooner of five tons, were wrecked or driven ashore,- including tbe barque Peter Godeffroi. The schooner Lily, belonging to I.l' Arthur aud Co., was cut down at her auchor by the Nipsic. Captain Douglas, the English aud Americau pilot, was on board at the time, also Mr Ormsby, trader for M'Arthur and Co., sud the schooner's cook. All were, of course, hurled into tho water. Captain Douglas swam to the Olga, which was also close, and, after great exertion, succeeded in getting en board. Mi Ormsby also reached the side of the Olga, where a rope was thrown to him, but he seemed too weak to take advantage of it, and was carried past and soon lost sight of. The cook was never seen after ho was precipitated into the

water. Very littlo damage was done to the houses in the town, which shows it was not a hurricane of the severest type. A large number of trees were blown down, and people of experience say that the cocoanut crop is likely to be rendered useless for the next six months.

SUMMARY OF LOSSES.

Tho following is about the number of lives lost from the vessels named: —Vandalia, 38 men and tour officers; Eber, 75 men. the captain, and all her officers except one; Nipsic, 6 men • Adler, 14, including officers and men. In all about 150 perished.

All tbe merchant vessels in harbour were also wrecked or driven ashore, but only one life was

losfc—a Mr OrmsSy,' viho was a visitor on board J ' the schooner Lily. J The following is a list of casualties ?—Total I wrecks: PeterGodeffroi,barque,462tons;' My,,! schooner, 44 tons; Augur, barquentine, 299 j tons; Fituan, cutter, 19 tons. Ashore: Upolu, J schooner, 69 tons; Utumapj, schooner, 12 tons; I Yaiteli, cutter, 13 tons; Mukutuno, ketch, 29 tons. The only vessel in harbour which escaped was a little schooner of about five tons,-owned by Meredith. I Thofollowing are the names ef those lost in the wreck of the American warship Vandalia: — Captain Schumacher, Paymaster Armes.'Lieu-tenaut-of-Marines Sutton, Pay-clerk John Roach, Quartermaster William Brown, and the following seamen:—Henry Baker, W. Brisbane, M. Oarhan. M. Craigan, B. F. Davis, T. G. Downey, M. Erickson, H. C. Gierney, Adolph Goldner, George Lohmann, B. Green, Joseph Griffen, E. N. Hammon, John Hatehett, C. Hawkins, W. Hoah, F. Jodbs, G. Gordon, M. H. Josephs, John Kelly, T. Kelly, N. Kinsill, C. P. Cratzer, C. Krase, F. Lessiman, L. Merrize, Alymer Montgomery, A. Rilev, H. P. Stallautz, C. G. Stanford, John Sims, J. H. Wells, John Wilford, Henry Weited, A. H. Kohn, A. Packe, Pendang Tibor.

The Nbsic lost the following seven seamen:— George W. Collin, John Hill, Josiah Heap, T. Johnson, David Kelham, Henry Pontsell, W. Watson.

The officers and crew of the Trenton were al saved. The following of the Adler's crew were lost .*-

Petty-officer Rashke; Fireman Temgan; seamen : Fischer, Remus, Avissus; Messenger, Loser, Waternberg, Peters, Fisher, Busch, Jamish, Markus, Teaki, Keiler, Blanch, Lanrassen.

A FAMINE FEARED,

The Auckland Star correspondent sends the following items *. —" Some idea of the force of the gale and sea may be gathered from the faot that the "Vandalia at ordinary times, with four boilers and 401b pressure could steam nine knots. On the day of the st—m she had seven boilers going, and a pressure of 701b, but could not face it. ,

" The fact of many more mouths to fill in the persons of the shipwrecked sailors and men-of-war crews, who must of necessity remain here for at least two or three' months, added to the total destruction of all native food, threatens to create a famine here shortly. It is to be hopsd a pestilence does not break out. ■. Many of the sailors were hurt by accident during the , wreck and are down with tropical complaint."

THE LESSONS OF THE DISASTER.

The Auckland Herald's correspondent in Apia, writing on March 19, says:—" Several rumours were afloat for the last day or two that the Calliope had foundered outside, and also that she had got on the reef some distance up the ! coast, but all doubts were set at rest by her coming into harbour this morning apparently all right. She is now the only vessel in Apia Britishers cannot help being'proud of their navy after all when they are composed of such ships as the Calliopehas proved herself to be. They all admit that she is a noble ship and thafc she was well handled. The hurricane and its results will perhaps be a lesson to other countries nofc to send such shells with nearly worn out engines to these seas at this time of the year. The gale was no heavier than occurs frequently on the coast of New Zealand, and I feel perfectly sure that any one of the Union Company's boats : would have steamed out as the Calliope did.

" The great calamity that has occurred has of course put everything else in the shade, and we now have to speculate on what efiect it will have on. the Samoan question. The Germans have suffered most severely here lately, both in property and lives, and I think there is no getting over the fact that they have themselves to blame. If they continue on Samoa will soon be a dear place to them, and 1 daresay the German Government now wished they had never seen it."

LIEUTENANT WILSON'S ACCOUNT OF THE CALAMITY.

Auckland, March 31,

Lieutenant Wilson, of the warship Vandalia,arrived in Auckland by the Mariposa, having been sent by Admiral Kimberley to forward information of the calamity to Washington by cable. In a narrative of the wrecking, Lieutenant Wilson says that at daylight nothing could be seen of the Eber, whilst the Adler was on the reef on her beam ends. The other ships were sawing about under the influence of wind and sea. The Vandalia met strong crosscurrents, and ifc was wifch the greatest difficulty that she was brought up head to wind; but the strain upon her anchors was so great that she then began to drag. At one time it became necessary to cross the bow of the Calliope, otherwise the two vessels must; have fouled. Whilst the ships were crossing the Calliope was obliged to go astern as far as possible whilst the: Vandalia was forcing herself ahead. It seemed almost certain that the Calliope's boom would cut through the stern of the Vandalia before the latter warship got across, and she had almost a miraculous escape, the management of both ships beiug very skilful. As ib was a collision was averted by about only one foot, the quarter of the Calliope cutting some 2ft in the light framework on the Vandalia's quarter gallery._ Directly after this the Calliope slipped her chain and went to sea. This proved the salvation of that vessel and all on board. The Vandalia continued to drag, and was carried in shore by the wind.and sea. It was only by constant watching on the part of Captain Schumacher that she was kept off the reef. An effort was mace to beach her in the safest possible place, and this would probably have been successful were it not thafc the Olga came up on the starboard beach, and was in imminent danger of crushing iuto her. In order to save both ships the Vandalia dropped astern, and had just cleared the Olga when she was struck broadside on by the sea and carried on to a soft, sandy bottom just beyond the reef. Once in this position all hope of saving the Vandalia was over, but the engines were kept going as long as they had any efiect on the ship. The mea in the firing room stayed by their fires to the last. The seas, which were now running very heavily, 6wept over the ship from stem to stern, carrying away the boats and clearing the decks. The men were forced to take refuge on the topgallant forecastle and on the quarter deck. The last boat swamped before it could be lowered away, so that all means of communicat- . ing with the shore or other vessels was cut off. The idea of . firing rockets and shooting a line by that means was attempted, but as everybody and everything in the 6hip were thoroughly soaked, no means of lighting a rocket could be found. The ship commenced to settle, and every succeeding sea lifted her up and. carried her further in shore,until she rested on the bottom of the harbour, where heavy seas broke over her, making ifc almost impossible for anybody to hold on. Many of the men and some officers then took to swimming, while the captain, executive officers, and others, still remained on fche poop deck. The distance from shore could, not have been more than 150 yds, but the heavy sea which was running iuto the harbour made the intervening water a perfect whirlpool. One man, coxswain Hammon, jumped overboard without orders, taking with him the end of a line, and tried to reach the shore. He was a powerful swimmer, but the sea was- too heavy, and he was lost before he had got 50yds from the ship. He was soon followed by the boatswain's mate, Merrage, also a powerful swimmer, and a man of perfect fearlessness, who made another vain attempt to carry a line ashore, but was also drowned before he could cover half the distance. "Prom time to time a man with a life preserver would leave the ship and attempt to reach the shore, and three out of every four whodid so were either drowned close to the ship, or carried oufc to sea by the strength of the current. A number of men succeeded in reaching the Nipsic, which was beached close to where the Vandalia lay, and from that vessel it was comparatively an easy matter to gain the shore. Just as Captain Schumacher was about to take to the rigging a sea which swept the poop deck caught him and threw him against a Gatling gun and at the same time carried him overboard, and he was drowned in view of all those who were on the Vandalia. A thousand dollars were offered to any man who could get a line to the ship. One of the natives was drowned in the attempt to earn this reward, and no amounfc of persuasion could induce others to make the effort. Many swung from the rigging of the Vandalia infco thafc of the Trenton. Some iv their effort to make this precarious leap, being weakened by exposure and by constantly holding on to the rigging, were unable to maiutain their grasp on the ropes, fell between the vessels aud perished. Lieutenant Wilson himself narrowly escaped drowning in this way. He fell twice into the water between the Vandalia and Trenton, aud would undoubtedly have been losfc had he not been gallantly rescued by a sailor from the Trenton, who risked his life and hauledhim onboard the American flagship^ A few seconds after this the mainmast of the Vandalia went by the board, the mizzen-masthaving been previously carried away, and several who were clinging to it were drowned. Very few of the bodies of those drowned came ashore, and by the latest accounts only 13 had been recovered, including the bodies of Captaiu Schumache^and Paymaster Arines. The Calliope, which pufc to sea during the gale, returned to Apia the following Monday morning, having sustained some slight damage. She lost two or three boats, sprung the foreyard, aud sustained slight damage to the hull. She took in coal as quickly as possible, and left on Wednesday for Sydney. One of the German officers took passage in the Calliope for Sydney to forward despatches to Berlin. Captain Schumacher was an officer of excellent record, and had been 35 years in the service. He took command of the Vandalia about a year ago at Honolulu. He leaves a wife and three children iv Kingston, New York. Paymaster Armes was a native of New Londou, Connecticut. He leaves a wife and two children. Lieutenant Sutton and Pay-clerk J. Roach were both siugle men. The latter was one of the oldest and most able pay-clerks in the service. He was a brother of Mr Roach, editor of the Boston Pilot. Paymaster Yeoman, who was also lost, was a native of Baltimore.