TERRIBLE DISASTER AT SAMOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9326, 1 April 1889, Page 5

TERRIBLE DISASTER AT SAMOA.

SIX WARSHIPS WRECKED.

ALL THE AMERICAN AMD GERMAN

VESSELS LOST.

150 OFFICERS AND MEN DROWNED.

SAFETY OF H.M.s. CALLIOPE.

HARROWING SCENES.

THE EBER SMASHED TO PIECES. *

GREAT LOSS OF LIFE.

HUMANE CONDUCT OF THE NATIVES. An appalling catastrophe ab Apia was briefly recorded in Saturday's Herald. The sorrowful tidings were brought by the R.M.s. Mariposa, which arrived in port at an early hour that morning. *' The details which we published were supplemented in an extra edition subsequently issued. Today we are able to give a complete and graphic account of the terrible disaster. During a furious gale on the morning of the 16th March, the American warships Trenton, Vandalia, and Nipsic, and the German warships, Eber, Adler, and Olga, while lying at anchor at Apia were driven ashore and wrecked. A large number of ,small merchant craft was also lost. Tho total loss of life is estimated ab 150. Nearly the whole of those on board the Eber perished, only five men being saved. The ill-fated vessel, many of the officers of which were well known in Auckland, was hurled upon a reef, where she broke in two, and disappeared in the boiling sea. The American warship Vandalia also suffered great loss of life, including her captain, who was swept overboard by a huge wave, and drowned. During the height of the storm H.M.S. Calliope steamed out to sea in the very teeth of the gale, and escaped the fate which overtook the other vessels. As one after the other was driven upon the beach, where the whole township had gathered, some harrowing scenes were witnessed. The unfortunate sailors were hlddled together in the rigging while enormous rollers swept the decks of the stranded vessels, threatening each moment to engulph all on board. Those on shore were, in the absence of all life-saving appliance.'), utterly powerless to render assistance, although several gallant efforts were made. Fortunately all the vessels did nob break up, otherwise the loss of life would have been far greater than it was. When the fury of the storm had somewhat abated, theshipwrecked crews were able to reach the shore, but the survivors had to mourn the loss of many a gallant comrade. Subjoined will be found full particulars of the catastrophe :— THE EISE OF THE STORM. The first premonition of the coming storm was that on the forenoon of Friday, March 15, the barometer went down to 29.10 — sure indication that a heavy blow was imminent. In the afternoon of the same day the barometer rose a little, and stroDg hopes were entertained that the hurricane would pass off, as on a previous occasion, when the mercury had gone down very low, and only a moderate gale was the result. About four o'clock in the afternoon ib began to blow pretty stiffly from the north-east, and the wind increased all night until ib became a terrible gale, with a frightful sea running. MAKING PREPARATIONS. Ths indications of bad weather were neb left unheeded by the captains of the vessels in port, who ail made the best preparations they could to withstand the gale. The men-of-war had all ''steam up during the early part of Friday, and tfis-ir commanders naturally thought that they w&q|d be able bo steam up to their anchors and hokj. their own against almost any wind or sea "that was likely to come against them. The topmasts were housed, the boats hauled in board and secured, and everything mada snug. LOSS OF H.I.G.M.S. EBER. : The six warships in port withstood the fierce wind and mountainous seas daring the night, but at the first dawn of day ib was seen that the German gunboat Eber was in difficulties, and that she was dragging her anchors. She had been lying pretty close in shore, and though steaming against the wind, was not at all able to make any headway, and sagged heavily to the lee shore, which was the inner reef with its jagged point. Though all available efforts were made by those on board, it was quickly seen by the many eager watchers on shore that she was doomed. Between five and six o'clock she was very close to the reef, and a tremendously big wave at last swept her bodily on to the reef with a terrible force. The gunboat was struck about amidships. She rolled once or twice heavily, then lurched over and sank back into deep water, having evidently broken her back by the immense force of the first impact. Her officers and men were engulfed in the seething foam that broke over the reef, and a terrible struggle for life began, and with the howling of the hurricane, and the roar of the waves on the cruel coral, was mingled " the convulsive shriek and bubbling cry of somo strong swimmer in his agony." But few of the ship's company were able to escape from the death swirl of the sinking craft, and only one officer and four seamen succeeded in getting ashcre. THE ADLER DASHED ASHORE. Not long after the Eber had thus disappeared, her consort, the Adler, underwent a similar course of dragging, drifting, and destruction. She had nob been able to steam up to her anchor, or bo face the gale, and snapping her cable, she drifted toward the same reef on which the Eber was lost. As she neared ib, a giant wave lifted her up and carrying her along with great speed, dashed the vessel right over the top of the reef to a distance of some 100 feet, where she fell heavily on her beam ends in the midst of a furious whirl of broken shallow water, and heeled over with her deck to the shore. The officers and crew clung to the upturned wreck as best they could. Some of the men plunged into the water and reached the shore in safety, others being drowned, while some floated ashore on pieces of wreckage, and a boat manned by some shore people picked up i '. good many. The officers were all saved, and the majority of the men. The number given as lost is 21 seamen and 2 officers. The masts did not long withstand the effects of the waves after the hull had been thrown on the reef, bub the body of theship remained intact. THE NIPSIC ASHORE. The destruction of the Eber and Adler was bub the forerunner of similar disasters; to the other war vessels in the harbour, though happily their stranding was nob attended with; such heavy loss of life except in the case of the U.S.B. Vandalia', where the list of drowned reached the heavy total of 43. The U.S.s. Nipsic began tc drag early in f-he morning. She had '■> been lying ■ somewhat to the eastward of' the other vessels, and her position was for a time somewhat more sheltered. .But her engine-power was insufficient to preserve" her in that position, and when she boean= to sag bodily towards the dreaded rocks, Captain Mullan wisely devoted his efforts' to divert her shoreward bo a place where. she could be beached with comparative safety. Though thus was of uncommon dim■™W' f y ff ßtrennou ? endeavours on tha pa* of officers and men it was accomplished;, and the cruiser took the ground? on the sandy.bottom opposite tho America? Consulate and stuck there. Though tie two. broke. over he* with considerably

violence, she was to a great extent safe. In trying to get a lino ashore, a boat lowered from her stern upset, and those in it —a junior officer and six seamenwere drowned in tho boiling surf. After this duster, the remainder of the Nipsic's comj&uy decided to remain by the vessel, and through the assistance of a' large body of Samoans, communication was at longth established with tho shore, and all got ashore safely, though many suffered injuries by being cast cm the beach by tho Burf. Concerning tho Nipsic, so far as ib is at present known, "her timbers yet are sound, and she may float again charged with her dreaded thunder, to plough tho distant main." THE VANDALIA STRIKES AND SINKS. The U.S.s. Vandalia which had so far Isiden out the galo in safety was tho next vessel to yield before the increasing strength of the tempest, and about ten o'clock was seen to be going towards the reef. Though Captain Schoon maker had been disabled by being dashed bodily against a gun by a ' great billow which swept the cruiser's dock, no promptly gavo instructions to his men to endeavour to steer tho vessel to a safo place! for beaching, as had been douo with the Nipsic. In the case of the Vandalia, however, the difficulties of this task were in-

creased by her deeper draught and the fact that the tide was considerably lower. By great exertious, however, sho was nearing a suitable spot, but narrowly escaped sudden destruction i< by collision first from the Calliope, and then the Olga. In avoiding the latter vessel she broached to and struck tho shore broadside on some little distance to seaward of tho Nipfie, and tho waves breaking right over her with terrific violeneo swept many of her crew to a watery grave. Tho amount of water coming over the bulwarks finding its way to her lower compartments, or possibly entering by an unknown leak caused by the force of her sti iking, caused her to fill gradually, and she settled down until nothing was visible but her masts and bulwarks. During the afternoon a rope was passed to tho Nipsic, bub in making the perilous journey between the two ships more lives wero lost. The condition of those on board this vessel was perhaps the most pitiable of all, as though so near tho shore but little help could be rendered them, and clinging to the rigging and ether gear till exhausted many dropped Into tho surf, and were drowned before the eyes of their comrades and tho crowds of eagor helpers on the beach, while many deeds of desperate valour and tenacious , clinging to life were enacted by struggling Bwiiumers, the majority of which alas ! ' ended fatally. When darkness had fallen upon the scene a fresh danger threatened the unfortunate seamen, for the huge bulk of the American flagship Trenton was Been looming up close to the shattered Vandalia. Though tho Trenton, driven helplessly before tho gale, crashed heavily into her consort, the collision was somewhat of o blessing, in disguise, for the flagship drifted to' a position inside the Vandalia, and a hawser being run between the two, many of the Vandalia's company got safely on board the Trenton, and thence to the shore. Many, however, clung through all the terrors of the night to the remnants of the rigging, for the foremast and mizen masts went by the board shortly after the collision with the Trenton. These were Sot ashore in the morning, but the loss of fe was very heavy, four officers (including Captain Schoonmaker) ard 39 men having been engu'phed by the hungry waves. THE OLGA STRANDED. Though she had for a considerable time Succeeded in weathering the gale, the cruiser Olga, the largest and most powerful of the German fleet, was also adrift early in the forenoon, and evidently beyond proper control. While in this condition she came into perilous proximity with the American ship Nipsic, and a collision occurred by which the Nipsic's smoke-stack was carried away, an accident which, by depriving her of her steam power, was one at the immediate causes of her going m hore. Getting clear again she continued he- course to the shore, her captain endeavouring to pilot her safely past the other drii ting ships. In this he was but partially successful, for the force of the elements caus>3d the Trenton to bear down upon her.. The captain of tho Olga, 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 K'ale to steer clear, with great judgment slipped his anchors, veered round and beached his vessel in the best manner and in the vary best place he could have done. No doubt he saw that by holding on the two vessels mutt have collided amidships, and the destruction of both would have been almost certain. As ib was the Olga did not get away until her bowsprit came in contact with the Trenton's steering gear, which was carried away. The Olga was splendidly managed by really good seamanship. She wa:s beached in one of the best positions, and is now lying without a move near the Vaisigano River. What damage she ha 3 sustained is not yet { ascertained, excepting She loss of her bowsprit, but believe nil her officers and crew were saved. FATE OF THE TRENTON. In the morning, the U.S. s. Trenton, Adpnral Kimberley's flagship, and the largest t)f the American warships, lay the nearest to the harbour entrance of any of the vessels of the squadron, and at a point to the eastward off the outer coral reef. It was anticipated that she would be able to ride out the storm, though it was observed that she dragged her anchors, but only slowly. However, as the gale increased, one of the vessel's chains parted, and the heavy seas now began to break over her, with the result fchat-the fires were extinguished. This loss of steam power was of course fatal, and tho ship commenced to drift down the kirbour, beyond control, her engines being powerless. The Vandalia, as mentioned above, had in the meantime crossed the Calliope's bows, and the latter vessel having slipped her cables, set out to sea in the teeth of the driving storm as the Trenton came drifting onward to destruction. HOW THEY FACED DEATH. The scene as the Calliope passed tho Trenton was one which will live in memory long after many of the other features of this great naval disaster are forgotten. The •British warship had to pass between the other vessel and the reef, _ so closely that there was imminent risk of tho rigging becoming entangled, but the Calliope passed through successfully. Hero the officers on board the Trenton, recognising that Captain Kane had brought his vessel out of it 3 danger by his skilful seamanship, lifted their hats as the Calliopo went by. Though they must have recognised that they were themselves in the greatest danger, their vessel drifting about at. the mercy of the L'ale, the brave sailors on the deck of the doomed American ship Bent up a hearty cheer, to which tho British tars responded a:3 the Calliopo moved off. to defy the storm in all its fury. DRIFTING ASHORE. The Trenton came slowly down in tho direction of the Olga. The captain of tho later vessel endeavoured to avoid a collision, but he could not get his ship clear in time, and she carried away the propeller of the Trenton, which met her stern on. The American 3hip was now absolutely helpless, and it was fer;ed that she would drift on to the reef where the Eber had gone to Eieces, but fortunately the wind changed a ttle, and by good management, with Btorm trysails, she was guided down along the reef and after striking the wrecked Vandalia, grounded very close by. It was dark by this timo, and the storm of wind and rain appeared to bo as fierce as over. The Trenton seemed to have grounded on a better bottom than that on which the Vandalia had stranded, and ib was hoped thab Bhe would hold together until tho storm moderated, so that the lives would be all Saved. There were 430 men on board of the Trenton, and had sho broken up the loss of life would have been fearful. With the aid of a rocket, a line was thrown from ihe .Trenton into the rigging of the Vandalia, and many of the unfortunate men who bad been clinging there since that ship went ashore twelve hours previously, iwung themselves off. Some of them gained ihe dock of the Trenton'; but other poor fellows, weakened by exposure, fell from the rope into the sea, and were drowned. Having made a gallant effort to save their fives, they perished when on tho point of fescue. The masts of the "Vandalia soon went by the board, and those who had remained in the rigging were thrown into the Bea and were lost. The Trenton's bottom fli broken, and at high tide rhe is half filled With water. None of the Trenton's men were drowned, but the*wardroom boy was jailed. He was struck on the head by one the porta, which was burst open by the tea,' And his ektill was smashed, N ,

IN THE TEETH OF THE STORM. __ The Calliopo dragged "her anchors early in the morning, and though she had excellent steaming power, it was seen that her position was also dangerous. Having narrowly escaped collision with the Vandalia, tho Calliope slipped her* cables, .and Captain Jvnno headed his shipto sea. Tho vessel was splendidly handled, and, as already stated, passed tho Trenton when it seemed tho ships would foul, and turned to batiJu with the wind and waves, steaming out oi the harbour in tho teeth of the fearful Tho rain and mist wore so heavy that it was impossible to see from the shore? how the ship fared, and during tho wholo of the following day rumours were afloat to tho effect that she had foundered outside, that sho had gone ashore, and so on. Tho Calliope, however, remained outside for two days, and returned on Tuesday morning, her familiar lines having a pocu!: : -.r interest) amidst tho surrounding wreck:)-: r .?i v.d desolation. Britishers cannot help '-iGbig proud

of their navy after all, when they are composed of such ships as tho Calliope has proved herself to bo. They all admit that sho is a noble ship, and that sho was well handled. During tho storm sho lost two or three boats, and 'sustained slight damage'. to her hull, whilst hor foreyard was sprung. A heavy sea whteh swept aboard lifted one of the crow olt'his foot, and dashed him with such violence to. tho deck that ho was killed. MERCHANT VESSEL WRECKED. As might bo expected, when so many war vessels with their complete equipments, steam power, and largo crews were lost, tho me: tile craft in die harbour did not como scatheless through tho terrible gale. Of thirteen sailing vessels which were in the port, all went ashore, foundered, or sunk, with the exception of a staunch little schooner • rigged smack of live tons burden, belonging to Mr. Meredith, of Apia, winch rode out tho gale securely. Tho Peter Godcffroi, a German iron barque of -IC2 tons, which was moored near tho point of tho southern roof, went ashore early, and was quickly followed by tho barquontino Agur, a stout vessel of 2!);) tons burthen. Amongst, the other craft lost were the Lily, schooner, 44 tons, and Detriau, cutter. 19 tons, all of which wore totally lost and broken up. Some others were more fortunate, and succeeded in getting ashore at soft places, though many have received irreparable damage. Thoso whoso names we could ascertain woro tho Npolo, schooner, OS tons; Uturnapu, schooner 12 tons : Yaitole, cutter, 16 tons ; Nukunono, ketch, '29 tons. Amongst all these craft, however, ib is very gratifying to note that loss of human life wero slight, four men being all that wcro drowned of the crews of tho thirteen trading vessels which went ashore. TOE SCHOONER LILY RUN DOWN. The schooner Lily, belonging to Messrs. McArthur and Co., was one of those which was totally lost. Sho was riding in comparative security at her anchorage, under the lee side of tho eastern reef, when tho U.S.s. Nipsic, drifting helplessly before tho hurricane, came into collision with her, cutting her in two. Captain Douglas, the English and American pilot, was on board at the" time, also Mr. Ornish}', trader for William Mc Arthur and Co., and the schooner's cook. All were of course hurled into the water when tho Mipsic struck her. Douglas managed to swim to the Olga, which was also close by, and, after great exertion succeeded in getting on board. Ormsby also reached the side of the Oiga, 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 he was precipitated into the water. AN ACCKLANDER DROWNED. The trader referred to, Mr. John Ormsby, was a native of this province, being a Maori half-caste from Alexandra, Waikato. Ho had been some four or five years at the Islands, and was in the employ of Messrs. McArthur and Co., managing a trading station for them at Leone, on the Island of rutuila. He was about 30 years of age, md unmarried, and was well known and jsteemed in Apia. He has relations at Alexandra, and a brother of his is at prosent resident at Otorohanga, where ho keeps i store and publichouse in conjunction with a Mr. J. Hettit. LIST OF THE DROWNED. As approximately as can be ascertained, the following is a list of those who were lost in the hurricane :— Eber : Captain Wallis, Lieutenants Erhardt, Von Ernhausen, G:ireke, Surgeon Dr. Maienhauer, Paymaster Kunze, Chief Engineer Tuber, and about 73 seamen. Adler : Petty-officer Rashko, Fireman Temgman, Seamen Fischer, Remus, Avisius, Messenger, Loser, Wahrenbcrg, Peters, Fisher, Busch, Weink, Urchelin, Schuejotzky, Janush, Markus, Tenk, Keilcr, Blanel, Laurassen, and two others. Nipsic: Seamen Gill, Heep, Pontseeb, Lallan, Kelleter, Watson, and Johnston. Vandalia : Captain Schoonmakcr, Paymaster F. H. Arms, Lieutenant Marines F. E. Sutton, Pay-clerk John Roach, Seamen Henry Baker, W. Brisbane, M. Cashan, M. Craigen, B. F. Davis, T. G. Downey, M. Erickson, H. C. Geirney, Adolph Goldner, George Lohman, N. B. Green, Joseph jrilTin, 1). N. Ham mar, John Hantchett, 3. H. Hawkins, W. Howell, F. Jones, G. Jordan, M. H. Josephs, John Kelly, T. Kelly, N. Kinsolla, C. P. Kratzer, C. Kraus, F. Lessiman, L. Merrage, Alymer Montgomery, T. Riley, H. P. Statanzc, C. G. Stanford, John Sims., J. H. Wells, John Welliford, Henry Wicted, Ahkom, Appack, Pendang, Tieber. Trenton : 1 boy (killed). Calliope : 1 seaman (killed). Peter Godefkkoi (barque) and Ague. (barquentine) : 3 sailors. Lily (schooner): Mr John Ormsby. Total: 150 lives :German warships, 9G ; American warships, 50 ; merchant vessels, 4. mataaea's gallant conduct. A noble feature in the details of this tragical event was the conduct of Malietoa Mataafa, who sent hundreds of natives down to tho scene of tho wrecks to assist in saving life and property. Under the command of Seumanatafa and Anai, these Samoans did splendid 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 brave and unselfish way thoy acted. Referring to this matter, our correspondent says:—" I think that both tho United States and German Governments should in some public way show that they appreciate the services which tho natives rendered to • their respective countrymen." A SCENE OF DESOLATION. On Sunday morning the wind and tho sea went down, and the survivors from the wrecked vessels were landed. What a scene of desolation the Apia beach presented on that Sunday morning ! The whole foreshore was strewn with wreckage so far as one could see, whilst now and then the body of some gallant fellow was washed ishore. Tho natives remained on the beach, and worked hard in carrying to land tho Dodies dashed up by the sea. Five American sailors, whoso bodies had been recovered, were buried on Sunday afternoon, ill being pub in one grave. MISCELLANEOUS. Our Apia correspondent sends the following items : — Very little damage was done to any of tho rouses in town, which shows that is was nob i hurricano of tho severest typo. A large inmbor of tree's wero blown down, and, people of experience say that tho cocoanub crop is likely to bo rendered useless for tho icxt six months. The town is full of .sailors, and as they seem rather a lively crowd it is to be hoped bhab the officers will be able to keep them mder control. The hurricane and its results will periaps be a lesson to other countries, md especially, I should think, to tho United States, nob to send old vessels with nearly worn out engines to these seas at this season of the year. The gale was no heavier shan occurs frequently on the coast of New Scalane!, and I feel perfectly sure that any me of the Union Company's boats would lave steamed right out as the Calliope did. The great calamity that, has occurred has, if course, put everything eloe in the shade, ind now wo have to speculate on what jffect it will have on the Samoan question. Tho Germans have suffered most severely iere lately both in property and lives, and [ think there is no getting over the fact hat they have themselves to blame. If jhey continue on, Samoa will' soon be a lear place to them, and I daresay the jermun Government now wish they had lever seen it. It is thought that both the Olga and .he Nipsic will be got off. The former is, [believe, very little injured, but I am nob jo sure about the Nipsic, I '■ am afraid

Ib will cost a great deal more to repair her than sho is worth. , Admiral 'Kimberly is sending an officer to' Auckland by the mail steamer to cable to his Government. If tho Calliope is likely to get to Sydney before the "Frisco mail, the officer may go by her. On Monday morning a diver recovered from tho wreck of the U.S.S. Vandalia tho paymaster's safo, containing 43,000 dollars in gold. The Germans consider that the Olga can bo floated off successfully, and a number of men have been engaged in lightening her, with a view to this end. DEPARTURE OF ME CALLIOPE. Tho Calliopo, on hor return to harbour, took in coal, and sailed on Wodnosday morning for Sydney, having* as passenger one of the officers from tho Gorman warships, who wenb to forward information of the disaster to tho authorities at Berlin. The schooner carrying tho mails from Apia and Tutuila was overtaken on tho way, and tho Calliope towed her forty milos.

A SURVIVOR'S STORY.

THE HURRICANE AS SEEN FROM THE VANDALIA.

LIEUTENANT WILSON'S GRAPHIC NARRATIVE. Among the passengers by tho Mariposa was Lieutenant J. C. Wilson, of tho U.S.s. Vandalia, who has come up from Samoa to cable tho news of tho disaster to his -Government at Washington, and to mako arrangements for chartering a steamer to bring away the American sailors who nro now encamped at Apia. Ho is staying at the Star Hotel, and was interviewed by a Herald reporter, with results recorded bolow. He was navigating officer of tho Vandalia, and as ho was on dock during bho whole of the hurricano from the morning of the loth till everybody had left on bho night of tho Kith, ho was an cyo-wibnoss of all that took place. This long exposure on deck without food for nearly two days greatly exhausted him, and, although now nearly recovered, ho still feols some of tho effects of tho ordeal. " I read," he said, " tho acconnb in tho extra published by tho Herald on Saturday, and it struck me as being voty accurate. " When asked by tho reporter to supplement it by what ho had. himself seen, ho readily consented to do so, and gavo tho following graphic narrative of his terriblo experiences : — BREWING. " During the day and night of tho 14th, there was evidence of a heavy southerly gale prevailing, but as tho harbour of Apia is on tho north side of tho island, wo folt very little of it. In the forenoon of tho 15th tho wind had gone down almost to a calm, though there was a dull heaviness in the atmosphere, whir'; indicated that tho storm was not over, or that it might break out from another quarter. Light airs and calms predominated, with a dull atmosphere and falling barometer during tho fore and afternoon of tho loth, and a signal had been accordingly made from tho Trenton, Admiral Kimberley's flagship, to send down yards, house topmasts, and mako general preparations for bad weather.

without imminent danger of being cut down. At ono time it seemed impossible to escape, as the stern of the Calliope,rising and falling with the sea, struck the quarter-galley of the Vandalia, and carried it . away. Had I she penetrated two feob further tho Vandalia undoubtedly would have .been cut down to tho water-lino, and sunk with all hands." CLOSE work. « "Immediately after this, the Calliope, being pointed directly to sea, slipped her cablos and commenced steaming out. The Trenton was anchored the furthest out of all tho ships, and tho Calliope was obliged to pass her to gob to sea. She could not go ahead of her, so she was obliged bo pass between bhe stern of tho Trenton and the roof. Progress against wind and wave was so slow that she appeared to have scarcely any steerage way, and ib became a question whether or not she would clear the Trenton. This vessel gavo her all tho sea room sho possibly could, bub from tho accounts of thoso on board the Trenton they expected to bo cub down. The Calliope managed to pass, but with nob moro than a foot to spare." * HIP ! HIP 1 HURRAH I j "It was at this timo when the safoty of i tho Trenton seemed bo be assured that the i men of the Trenton manned the rigging, and cheered her as sho wonb out." A LOSING BATTLE. "Up to this time tho Trenton had been holding her ground, and it socmed as if she would weather tho gale without difficulty. The Vandalia was conbinuouc'y dragging, having onco sbartod her anchors it seemed impossible for thorn to got a good i hold again. All steam posaiblo was raised, and we were soon mancevring with 601b of steam on, but very strong undercurrents carried hor steadily in, skirting the north rcof, and it required tho utmost skill and stoampower to keep tho Vandalia from being carried on to this roof. She managed, however, to gob into tho inner harbour, where she scorned to bo comparatively safe. The Olga was then discovered to ho on tho Starboard bour, swinyinjar down rapidly towards the Vandalia. To avoid a collision tho latter ran round tho stern of tho Olga, and in so doing she lost a considerable distance to leeward, and it then seemed that going ashoro was inevitable." WRECK I'.T). " We then determined to slip bho cablos and beach hor, and preparations wero made accordingly. The sheet cable was slipped, but before the othors could be cleared sho struck on tho bottom nearly broadside to tho wind and sea. Ab the time of striking there was 72 pounds of sterna registered, and tho men bslow wero still working with tho engine and fires, and romaincd thero until ordered up from below, when it was scon that no further use could bo made of them. Each succeeding sea lifted and c.nrriod tho ship further in until sho was wholly resting on the bottom, distent about 150 yards from tho shore lino, and 50 yards from tho stern of tho Nipsic, which had already been beached, bows on." A TREY TO THE WAVES. "The seas thon swept tho ship foro and aft, carrying away tho remaining boats, and all movable objects about the deck. Tho men took refuge on tho top-gallant forecastle and poop deck. Even here they would bo entirely covered by tho soas, and

THE HARBOUR OF APIA. A woodcut of Apia Harbour, where this great disaster occurred, is published herowith. and the position of the various vessels, both Dcfore and after the storm, is indicated by numbers. Though dotted lines arc given as indicating the apparent courses taken by the several ships, it will be readily understood that on a map of small scale these are necessarily abridged, while it would also be a matter of impossibility to lay down any exact line takeu oy the drifting cruisers in their aimless wandering?. The vessels arc numbered as follows :—l. H.B.M.s. Calliope; 2. U.S.s. Trenton; 3. U.S.s. Vandalia; 4. H.I.G.M.s. Adler; 5. H.I.G.M.S. Olira: 6. H.I.G.M.s. Ebcr; 7. U.S.s. !N'ipsic. The figures in the seaward position of course mark the places where the vessels anchored before the Rale ; those on the shore line, where they were wrecked. The barque Peter Goddefroi and barqucntine Agar wero about a quarter of a mile westward of the Adler, and the schooner Lily was slightly to the northward of the Olgti. Mr. Ormsby's body was found on the shoro close by where the Olga was stranded.

THE BLOW BEGINS. "About three o'clock in the afternoon, tho wind came out suddenly, but not vory strongly, from the north-easb, gradually increasing in force, with a falling barometer, during the remainder of the day, until about nine or ten o'clock in the evening, when tho wind had readied the force of a moderate gale, blowing steadily from tho northeast." CAUSE OF THE WRECKS. " The effect of tho wind alono, although bringing a heavy strain on tho cables, would at no time have been sufficient to have caused any ordinary ship to drag two anchors against her steam-power, and had it not been for tho poor holding ground, and tho very heavy seas forced in through tho narrow opening between the reefs, all the steamships would probably have ridden out the hurricane in safety. "As the wind increased in violence, and the night advanced tho seas grow higher and higher, and caused tho ships to tug very heavily at their moorings. Owing to the darkness of the night we could nob sco the condition of tho othor vessels, and all our attention was directed to our own ship." A CRY FOR HELP. "Towards midnight, however, wo saw one of tho merchant barques, the Peter Goddefroi, I think it was, making signals of distress, bub as no boat could have lived in the sea, wo could give no assistance *It was probably soon after this, that tho merchantmen wenb on tho reef and wcro destroyed." SUSPENSE. "Our boat, the Vandalia, rodo through the night without much difficulty, and was nob obliged to uso her steam-power, but careful watch was kept, as wo were expecting every moment that she might commence to drag. When day came wo saw thab the Eber had disappeared during the night, and that tho Adler was up on the reof a total wreck. Had there only been sufficient room in tho harbour for the vessels to havo veered chain, so that they could have lain with .100 fathoms of cable out, bhoy would mosb probably havo weabhered the hurricane. The Vandalia was obliged to lie with about 70 fathoms on.one chain and 60 on the other, not being able to veor any more on account of tho proximity of the other vessels and tho reef. The Calliope was in a rather bettor position as far as anchorage was concerned, and had veered out probably 100 fathoms on her starboard chain at the boginning of the 'blow.' The undercurrents were very strong, and appeared bo run from west bo oast across tho ohunnel, making ib very difficult to keep the ship heading up bo the wind and sea." DRIFTING. . " Tho Vtndalia, lying as she did partly to tho current and partly to tho wind, brought a very heavy strain on both anchors. Ib was so heavy that she commenced to drag, und her third and last anchor was let go ; bub as it had been damaged in a previous blow, ib probably did net hold so well as ib otherwise would have done." TOUCH-AND-GO. " Soon after daylight we found ourselves on the starboard bow of the Calliope, and in danger of fouling and damaging both vessels. To avoid this, ib was necessary to run across the bow of tho Calliope, a very critical movement. By steaming ahead ab full speed, and by skilful use of the holm, we succeeded in crossing, bub' not

I occasionally one or moro would bo swept I overboard." ; ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE. ' "Preparations were ab onco made bo i lowor the only remaining boab, in bho hopes j of being able to run a lino on shore. The I lino had been pub into tho boat, and tho lowering commenced, bub boforo sho could bo manned, a hoary soa struck and broke her in two, eo that bopo of getting a lino on shore was losb. I then sent for rockets, j which wore kept on dock, with the idea of I attaohing a small lino and firing it ashoro, • but everything about bho ship was com- • pletely soaked with water, and no means of I lighting tho rocket could bo found." BRAVE MEN. "One man, the coxswain, Ilammar by j namo, on his own responsibility, jumped overboard at bho end of a small lino, and endeavoured bo reach bho shore, bub was drowned in tho attempt. lie was followed by boatswain's mato Merrago, who was a I brave skilful seaman, and a powerful swimI mer. He succeeded in getting some fifty | yards towards the shore, but the strong current and tho heavy boaMng soa wero boo much for him, and ho too wvs drowned boforo ho could reach the shore. ' HKI.I*. "No further attempt was made by the men on board, bub signals wore made bo bhe shore bo try and launch a boat. Tho answer we got, however, was that no boat cmld live in such a sea." A THOUSAND DOLLARS OFFERED. " Every effort was made by tho people on shore to got a line over to the ship, and a thousand dollars was offered to any native who would succeed in swimming out with a line. One of the most daring native swimmers mado bho attempt, bub ho was lost, and no one else dared to follow him." WILLING RESCUERS. " After this fcho efforts of the people on shore were mainly directed bo rescuing those who came near tho beach. Horo tho natives did good work, rushing into tho waves to the imminent danger of their lives, and dragging people oub whorever they could reach thorn. Mabaafa had come down from his camp, and spent the day in tho American Consulate directing his men to use ovory effort bo save lifo. He was ably Hecondod by his head chiefs, Suamana and Anai, no disfcincbion being made between friend and foe." DEATH OF THE CAPTAIN. " Captain Schoonmaker, the executive officer, and myself, were on the poop deck surrounded by several of tho officers and a number of the men. The seas wero washing many of us against the railing, and I thought that as many as possible had better tako to bho rigging, and after speaking to the captain and the oxeoutivo officer, made my way to the main rigging. Captain Bohoonmakor, however, preferred to remain on fcho poop, bub finally towards night it became evident that fcho deck could not stand the heavy thumping and i washing of tho seas much longer, and the order was then given for everybody to tako to bho rigging. Captain Schoonmaker had been thrown down and cut on the head in the forenoon, and was somewhat weakened. Just at this moment the ship was swept by a heavy sea, which threw the captain violently against a Gatling gun which had broken adrift, and tho same sea carried him and several others overboard. He evidently had very little strength lefb, as he appeared bo be able to make no effort} to save himself, and

' was drowned within 50 yards of the ship in plain sight of all. His steward and cabinboy, who had kept by him the whole day, were drowned at the same time within ten of him," ;; •;; A TREACIIKROr/S ROPE. "Tho Nipsic had been beached, and the Vandalia's bow was now within less than 50 yards of the Nipsic's stern, and a rope was soon thrown across from tho Nipsic to the Vandalia. It proved, however, to bo bub a poor moans of escape, as more than half of thoso who attompted ~to reach the Nipsic by this means were drowned, tho motion of the two ships tautening and slackening the rope in such a way as to causo tho people on the rope bo be entirely submerged at times, and at obhor times to bo dangling in mid-air, so that thoy were unablo to keep their hold. Several, however, managed to gain tho Nipsic's dock, and then from hor bow ib was comparatively easy to reach the shore in safety," A NEW DANGER. " Soon after nightfall ib was constantly expected that the gale would go down, a3 bhoso storms seldom last, as long as twentyfour hours. When night set in, however, without any diminution in the wind, everybody settled down to make a night of ib as best they could. It was thon discovered that

the, Trenton had workod her way into tho 'inner pocket' of tho harbour, and was apparently dragging straight down on tho Vandalia. This created groat consternation, as it scorned inevitable that she would collide with the Vandalia, and carry away the masts, upon which everybody was then clustered." SAVED BY A LIFELINE. "As she neared tho bow sho threw a rockot with a lino abtachod over tho forotop, and, by moans of this, a line was run between tho two ships, and most of thoso forward succeeded in reaching tho Trenton, some, however, in a very bruised and battered condition." JUMPS Iff THE DARK. "As sho dropped nown towards tho mainmast thoso upon it prepared to jump on board. Ib was then quito dark, and several lost their lives in tho attempt, being too weak apparently to hold on to the ropes onco their weight was brought upon their arms." THE MIZ&KNMAST GOES. " The mizzonmast, to which a number of mon wore clinging, was soon carried away, and several men must have boon drowned at this time. Ibsoomod only the question of a short timo when tho mainmast would go." A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE. "I was in tho port rigging, and, seeing that tho only chance of reaching tho Trenton was from tho starboard sido, succeeded in reaching the starboard rigging of tho Vandalia. Thon catching the ropo I had to swing some distance in order to reach tho Trenton. In so doing I cotfld not hold on to the rope, and fell into the water, a distance of some 25 feeb botwoon tho Tronton and tho Vandalia. NOT BORN TO BE DROWNED. " I was fortunately washed against tho starboard rigging of tho Vandalia, which I managed to grip and hold on to until I had sufficient breath to climb up again. After much difficulty I succeeded in getting up a sufficient heighb, and crossed to tho port sido. A second attempt to roach the Trenton had the same result as tho first. I again found myself struggling in tho water. After washing round somo little time I caught a small ladder hanging from the mainmast, and having succeeded in getting oil' most of my clothes, I was enabled to reach a position where my head was above water at least half the time." SAVED. "My movements "had evidently boon observed from the Trenton, for a man camo down over tho stern with a rope, which he succeeded in getting around me, and by this moans I was hauled on board tho Trenton. Tho man himself was then hauled up." THE MAINMAST GOES. "I had scarcely left the mast of tho Vandalia, when it went by tho board. At this time all but ono man had succeeded in getting away from tho mast before it went over. That one was washed overboard, bub, having a life-preserver on, succeeded in getting ashore." LIFE-SAVING. "Tho efforts of tho officers on board the Trenton at this time were directed moro to the saving of lifo on the Vandalia than to the saving of tho ship, and ib was duo to , their efforts that the loss of life was nob greater than it was. Tho Admiral gave up his cabin for tho uso of thoso rescued from the Vandalia, and every attention was paid them by tho officers and crew of tho Trenton." THE TRENTON SINKS. " By this time tho after part of the Trenton was pounding on the bottom, and ib seemed only a question of time when sho would fill and sink. Ib was hoped, however, that tho gale would abate and tho sea go down beforo this calamity occurred. Up to daylight of next morning the Trenton was not making any considerable amount of water, bub by noon, ib was coming in too fast to be kopt down by bhe hand-pumps. The stcimpower had been rondorod useless by tho seas getting into the iircroom and putting out tho fires. This was tho primo cause of tho Trenton going ashore, as immediately after tho fires wero put out sho parted threo of hor chains, and the remaining anchor was, of course, insufficient to hold her." ALL ON BOARD LANDED. "After breakfasting on board, aboubnoon the order was givoti for everybody to proparo to leave tho ship. This was done in safety about one o'clock. The Vandalia's people saved nothing moro than what they stood in, which, in the caso of many of tho men, was very little." THE GULL'S TROUBLES. " Tho Olga had been having rather a bad timo of it in a confined position, bub up to eight o'clock in tho evening sho succeeded in keeping clear of tho reef, although sho had nob had such good luck in regard bo other vessels. On ono occasion sho collided with the Nipsic, carrying away bho lattcr's smock stack. This was one of tho chief causo of the Nipsic's disaster." SHE SINKS THE LILT. "After this tho Olga collided with tho

schooner Lilly (44 tons) on board of which were fcho harbour pilot, Capbain Douglas, and Mr. Ormsby, ono of McArbliur and Co.'s traders, ab Looni, Tutuila, arid a native cook. Capbain Douglas had suggested during tho oarlicr part of fcho galo, that Mr. Onnsby had bettor gob ashore, bub Mr. Ormsby preferred co remain on board. When tho Olga collided with tho Lily, the latter was sunk, and tho throe people on board found thomsolves battling with tho seas. MB. ORMSBY'.S DEATH. "Captain Douglas, being an expert and strong swimmer, did everything in his power to assist Mr. Ormsby, and succeeded in gebting him alongside the Olga, and although bhey had been down under tho bottom of Mic ship twice, Captain Douglas managed to pill himself into the chains of the Olga, fcel'ing Mr. Onnsby bo hold on bill assisfcar.co came. This, however, camo too lato fcosaro Mr. Ormsby, bub Captain Douglas wasriscued." THE 01.0 A BEACHED. " The capbain of bho Olga, on learning that the harbour pilot was on board, made uso of his services in selecting a suitable place for beaching the ship, this course now being their only salvation. They managed bo get her pointed in a favourable direction, and then ran her up into bho soft mud, bow on, whoro she lay comparatively safe." SHELTER ON SHORE. "The Trenton's crew wore temporarily camped in the copra storehouse of Messrs. McArbhur and Co., which, however, was insufficient bo sholbor them all, tho remainder having bo camp oub in tho open air. Tho Vandalia's crow woro sheltered in tho native church which had been in uso as a hospital for those who woro injured during bhq,skirmish between fcho natives and tho Germans. In a day or two, sails and rugs had been lauded from the Trenton and Vandalia, and shelter provided for all." THE CALLIOPE. "Considerable anxiety was felb about the Calliopo, and everybody was relieved when she came in on the Monday after the storm. It was ascertained that no serious damage hod been sustained, Several of her boabs had been swep!; ar.'ay, the bowsprit had been carried away, her foreyard sprung, and her hull slightly damaged. She had lost t'tree anchors, and had but one remaining. Admiral Kimberley offered the Calliope the use of any of his anchors that could be made use of, bub there were unfortunately no facilities for weighing them. I presume that' Captain Kane considered that ib was unsafe bo remain in such a harbour with bub one anchor, and ho bherefore decided bo go to Sydney for the purpose of refitting,"

A BEACHCOMBER. " Considerable indignation*, was caused among many of the people on shore on account of the action of one European resident who refused the use of his 'boat for saving* life and property, and when the' boat was taken refused to inform the people where the oars and rowlocks were. This 1 individual employed himself principally in recovering wreckago and storing it away ■for future use." MAY FLOAT AGAIN. " lb is hoped that the Olga may bo gob off without serious damage. The Nipsic does not appear to be much injured, and will i undoubtedly bo floated again. If in suitable condition she will be sent to Auckland for repair:), the Auckland Harbour Board having kindly offered to Admiral Kimberly tho free use of the dock, and all facilities for making necessary repairs, Some two or throe of tho coasting schooners may probably be floated again and repaired, bub all tho remaining men-of-war and merchantmen are total wrecks." . the vandalia's officers. " Captain Schoonmakor was an officer of about 52 years of ago, who had been in the service about 35 years, and had made an excellent record during the war of the rebellion. He had commanded several ships, his last being the Nipsic in the Mediterranean squadron. Ho took command of the Vandalia at Honolulu about a year ago. He was a careful commander, and was very popular among his officers, He leaves a wile and three children in Kingston, New York. " Paymaster P. H. Arms was a native of New London, Connecticut. Ho leaves a wife and two children. "Lieut. F. E. Sutton, apromidng young man, came from the state of New York, and was unmarried. "John Roach was one of the-oldest and best payclerks in the service. He was a brother of Mr. Roach, editor of the Boston Pilot in . conjunction with John Boylo O'Reilly, the famous Fenian. Ho was unmarried, and a groat favourite." SYMPATHY AND OFFER OF ASSISTANCE FROM THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT. On Saturday afternoon last a telegram was received by Lioutenant Wilson from the Premier, Sir Harry Atkinson, stating that tho Govornment and people of New Zealand expressed their sympathy and sorrow at the great loss sustained by the United Sbubos Navy ; and that they would gladly placo at tho disposal of Admiral Kimborley tho Government steamer Hinemoa for any service to which he might bo able to pub her. THANKS. Lieutenant Wilson ropliod, expressing his thanks for the courtesy and sympathy displayed by the Government, and stating that ho was awaiting instructions from Washington, which he was expecting on Monday, and that if necessity arose, he would gladly avail himself of their kind offer.

SUMMARY OF LOSSES. The following is a summary of the men and ships lost: — U.S. MEN-OF-WAR. " Trenton (0900 tons): Total wreck ; no lives lost. Vandalia : Total wreck; 43 lives lost; (4 officers). Nipsic :On beach (may bo saved); 7 lives lost. GERMAN MEN-OF-WAR. Adler : Total wreck; 23 lives lost (2 officers). Eber (575 tons): Total wreck; 73 lives lost (7 officers). Olga (2169 tons): On beach (may be saved) ; no lives lost. MERCHANT SHIPS. Peter Goddefroi (German barque, 462 tons). Ague (German barquentino, 299 tons): Total wreck ; 3 lives lost. Thirteen coasters beached and on reef ; 1 life (Mr. Ornisby) lost. TOTAL LIVES lost. I United States men-of-war ... 50 German men-of-war 96 Merchant ships 4 Total 150 EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY IN AUCKLAND. As soon as the news of tho calamity become known throughout the city there was general sorrow oxpressed for the gallant eoamen who had perished in tho various warships. • Tho flags wero hoisted half mast high at tho several consulates, the municipal buildings, flagstaff Alborb Park, bho leading public institutions, and mercantile establish and on the shipping in port, as a token of respecb. Reference was made to the sad event in the various churches. Yesterday Bishop Cowie referred to ib ab St.-'Matthew's- at the morning service, the Rev. G. S. Warpolo at Sb. Mary's in tho evening ; in tho Presbyterian, Wosleyan, and Congregational churches, and by bho Rev. Thos. Spurgeon at Ponsonby church in tho morning, and Rev. C. Spurgeon at tho Tabernacle in tho evening. At Sb. Patrick's Cathedral tho Rov. Father Hacketb referred to the disaster in feeling terms previous to commencing his discourse [by TELEGRAPH. own correspondent.] Wellington, Saturd ay. Tho gTeatenb excibomonb was caused here this morning by the telegram which announced tho casualties caused by tho cyclone at Samoa. The German Consul had tho Imperial flag at halfmasb to-day in recognition of bho national calamity which has befallen tho fatherland at Samoa. Tho American flag also flew halfmast high above the offices of Mr. Levin, U.S. Consular agent, and tho flag at tho offices of the North German Insurance offico was similarly displayed.

DESPATCHES TO ADMIRAL FAIRFAX. CAPTAIN KANE'S REASONS FOR GOING TO SYDNEY. Admiral Fairfax has received dispatches from Captain Kane, of H.M.s. Calliope, and also private communications relative to tho naval disaster ab Apia, Samoa, by tho Mariposa. The despatches fully explain tho reason why Captain Kane doomed ib advisablo, on his roturn bo Apia, bo proceed at onco to Sydney to refit. Ho had, ib seoms, losb all his anchors savo one, and three of his boats. Tho Calliope was within two fathoms of tho reef, when Captain Kane docidod to slip his cables, and sboam oub bo soa. On returning to port search was made for tho anchors, bub they were nob to bo found, being buried.up in tho heaps of sand. Ib is believsd that the anchors of bho obhor warships fouled fcho slipped cables, and that the anchors woro dragged away. Under fcho circumstances, Captain Kano did nob deem ib prudonb to imperil tho safety of his ship by remaining in Apia, and went on to Sydney to procure fresh anchors and boats. The Admiral entirely approves of Captain Kane's action throughout. Aa showing tho fierceness of bho hurricane, ibis stated bhab the Calliope was under steam for twelve hours, making at tho rate of one and 8-10 th knots. Nothing is ■ known as to the loss of a gun, as given in somo reports, bub one seaman was killed through a sea breaking on board.

Recoired April 1, 1.30. THE NEWS IN AUSTRALIA. Sydney, March 31. The information of fcho disaster at Samoa caused a great sensation throughout bho Australian colonies. There is no sign of H.M.s. Calliope, whioh lefb Apia shortly after tho storm for this port. ___________________