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Rear Admiral L. S. Kimberly's Samoan Hurricane, an eyewitness accout of the Storm at Apia
Typhoons and Hurricanes: The Effects of Cyclonic Winds on U.S. Naval Operations
US Navy Ships lost in selected storm-related incidents
Storm at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March
1889
Since the 1780s, American
merchant ships had been traveling the Pacific Ocean to China,
trading ginseng, furs, and silver dollars for tea, chinaware,
and silks. As this trade increased during the 19th century, United
States diplomatic policy focused on securing commercial access
to both Chinese ports and the many island groups across the Pacific.
Although Samoa was off the main trade routes, American missionaries
and steamship promoters encouraged governmental interest in the
islands. At the same time, Britain and Germany, each with colonial
possessions nearby, were also interested in the islands; for example,
German merchants in particular were deeply involved in the Samoan
copra trade. During the 1870s, all three powers established treaties
of friendship and commerce with Samoa and secured the right to
establish coaling and naval stations at Pago Pago.
In the late 1880s, German intervention in the civil war that broke
out in Samoa outraged American public opinion and tensions grew
in the islands. By March 1889, three American warships had been
sent to Apia, Samoa, there joining three German warships, and
one British, in a watchful standoff in the harbor. On 15-16 March
1889, a violent storm struck the islands, destroying or disabling
six of the seven warships in Apia Harbor. Screw steamer USS Trenton,
screw sloop USS Vandalia, and gunboat USS Nipsic
were all wrecked, resulting in the deaths of 51 sailors. All three
German warships also sank, killing 150. The disaster did ease
tensions, paving the way for a previously scheduled conference
at Berlin and eventually the islands were brought under a German-American
protectorate in 1899.
Related Documents:
Report of
Rear-Admiral L. A. Kimberly, 19 March 1889
Special Report
of Rear-Admiral L.A. Kimberly on Conduct of Officers and Men,
16 April 1889.
Report
of Rear-Admiral L.A. Kimberly
APIA, SAMOA, March 19, 1889.
SIR: It becomes my painful duty to report to the Department the
disastrous injury and loss sustained by the vessels under my command
in the harbor of Apia during the hurricane which swept these waters
March 15 and 16. When the gale commenced there were in the harbor
the following men of war: U.S. ships Trenton, Vandalia,
and Nipsic; H[er].B[rittanic].M[ajesty's]. ship Calliope,
and H[is].I[mperial].G[ermanic].M[ajesty's]. ships Addler,
Olga, and Eber. There were also a few merchant vessels
and small craft. The Nipsic had the inner berth, and the
Trenton (last to arrive) had the outer berth.
Indications of bad weather appeared during the forenoon of Friday,
March 15, and at 1 o'clock on that day I commenced preparations
to meet a gale by sending down the lower yards [that carried sails]
and housing topmasts. Fires were lighted [in the ships' propulsion
boilers] and steam raised. By 3 o'clock the gale had developed.
It blew hard during the evening, and about 8 p.m. we parted our
port bower [anchor] cable. During the night it blew with great
violence, but with aid of steam the vessels kept in good shape
till morning. At daylight we had hoped for a moderation of the
wind, but were disappointed. The gale set in with renewed fury,
and early in the forenoon it was evident that some of the inner
ships were ashore and those nearer to us were riding uneasily.
The flag-ship lost her wheel about this time. It carried away
with a crash and seriously injured some of the helmsmen. Relieving
tackles [ropes and pulleys designed to operate the rudder and
steer the ship in the absence of the steering wheel] and spare
tiller were applied promptly, but it was discovered that the rudder
was broken, and soon it was entirely useless.
The wind by this time was blowing with hurricane force and the
seas were very heavy. The ship had begun to make water [i.e.,
to get water inside the hull from leaks or water coming down the
hatchways from waves breaking over the decks] during the early
morning. The hand pumps were manned and all bilge pumps in the
engine-room put on. The water gained and threatened to put out
the fires [in the boilers]; the greater part of it seemed to be
coming into the hawse pipes. It could be checked in this way but
not stopped; for the violence of the seas was so great that it
would force back everything that opposed it. All hands were set
to bailing, and the handy billy rigged, but by 9:30 a.m. the fires
had been put out and the men driven up from the fireroom. Work
at the hand pumps and with the buckets continued from this time
throughout the gale, with the hope of being able to relight the
fires and keep the ship afloat.
A little before noon the Calliope was seen to be very uneasy
at her moorings, and soon she steamed towards us, having parted
or slipped her cables, and making an effort to go out the harbor
she came near colliding with us and steamed out in the face of
the hurricane. In the afternoon, with the wind having hauled [changed
direction] a little, the flag-ship was more unsteady at her moorings
and parted two chains, one soon after the other. We then drifted
over towards the eastern reef, escaping the wreck of a merchant
bark by the mere chance of her dragging as we approached her.
We drifted until our stern was almost against the reef for a long
while and pitching heavily. We drifted in this position along
the reef for a considerable distance until we came to where it
turned more toward the eastward. Here we found smoother water
and our remaining anchor seemed to hold quite well for a time.
This position, however, put us directly in the hawse of H.I.G.M.S.
Olga, which vessel had one of the smoothest berths in the
harbor at this time. She as riding well and had control of her
engines. Efforts were at once made to heave over the 8-inch rifle-gun
from the forecastle, to assist in holding, but it could not be
done in time. We slowly drifted upon her, and she avoided us twice
by skillful use of helm and engines, but soon after cut into our
quarters, first on side, then the other, carrying away boat's
rigging and quarter galleries [the windows which protruded from
the hull on each side at the stern], but not essentially injuring
the hull.
During this time the officers of the flag-ship made every effort
to manage her by the storm sails [fore-and-aft sails rigged between
the masts] and putting men into the rigging. We drifted by the
port side of the Olga, and across to the western reef,
dragging the anchor and tailing now on the western reef as we
had before done on the eastern. Some of the wrecked vessels were
now in plain sight; Nipsic well inshore on good bottom,
stern to the seas; Vandalia sunk against the reef, masts
standing and tops and rigging filled with men; spray and surf
flying to their mastheads. Eber nowhere to be seen. Adler
on her side, high on the reef. The Olga had turned for
the shore and going ahead under steam and sail was beached on
god bottom and in a good position, stern to the seas.
All this time the gale was blowing with unabated fury. About 6
o'clock we were expecting to strike the reef momentarily. It was
directly under our stern; but, as on the eastern side, an under
tow or current seemed to carry us along the reef and keep us just
clear of striking. This we came down to where the Vandalia
was lying, and it was evident that our stern would soon strike
against her port side. As we approached her rockets were fired,
carrying lines, with the hope of rescuing the people on her masts.
This proved very successful, and the men from the main and mizzen
were rescued first. Soon after we struck the Vandalia with
violence, and her main and mizzen masts went by the board [i.e.,
broke off and went overboard]. We then swung gradually and settled
into a position alongside of her, just touching the bottom, and
our stern grazing a small wreck and the reef. The men were rescued
from the foremast of the Vandalia, and thence on during
the night we continued to beat upon the bottom and against the
Vandalia with great force.
The wind during this (Saturday) night blew with hurricane force,
squall following squall with hardly any appreciable interval.
The seas, however, were not so high as they were further out,
and we got through the night without additional serious misfortune.
Just before daylight the flag-ship was visited by two boats manned
entirely by natives, who carried lines to the shore. This was
dangerous work, owing to the darkness, to the sea and current,
to the reefs and wreckage, and to the difficulty of approaching
the Trenton on account of the Vandalia's wreck.
The men were kept at the pumps and buckets without cessation,
with a view to hauling off the ship, if possible, and keeping
her afloat when the gale abated. In the morning the wind moderated.
It was then ascertained that the propeller was missing. The ship
had settled hard on the bottom, and the water could not be reduced;
it was up to the engine-room platform and rising. Under these
circumstances, and in the absence of any docking facilities or
marine railway appliances [used to haul a ship out of the water
for repair] and powerful pumps, the abandonment of the ship became
necessary. Stores were gotten up as rapidly as possible, and people
got their effects ashore. Immediately thereafter the crew was
set to work getting out and saving from her everything possible.
On Monday the water was up to her gun deck, and she had settled
more to port and was still lower in the water.
The Vandalia is completely submerged, only her foremast
and headbooms showing above the water. The Nipsic is lying
in about 7 feet of water at low tide (rise and fall about 4 feet).
She would probably have to be hauled astern some 500 feet to float
her at high tide. She has lost her smoke-pipe, also her rudder,
and her propeller is badly damaged. Her crew remain on board,
and she keeps her bilges free of water by the steam-pump. I have
ordered a board to investigate at once the possibility of saving
the Nipsic, and to further investigate and report upon
all circumstances connected with the loss and damage of the vessels
by the gale. The report of this board will be forwarded by the
first opportunity after its receipt by me. The crews of the Vandalia
and Trenton are in barrack on shore. The Calliope
steamed into the harbor this morning, showing signs of having
experienced heavy weather. She goes to Sydney as soon as possible
for repairs, and through the kindness of Captain Kane [British
Royal Navy] her diving outfit has been turned over to us, and
it will be of the greatest assistance in saving stores. I commend
his services to the Department, and trust that they will be regarded
as worthy of recognition.
Lieutenant Wilson goes to Auckland to report the catastrophe to
the Department by cable, and to charter a steamer to take to San
Francisco the Vandalia's crew and others of the squadron
who are sick and disabled. By the Calliope I send a duplicate
dispatch to Sydney to be forwarded by the Unites States consul
to the Department.
I have also received the most valuable assistance from Malietoa
Mataafa [Samoan chief] who has sent a large number of his men
to help in getting stores and public property from the ships.
The Calliope when she went out of the harbor carried 90
pounds of steam [pressure in her boilers], making seventy-four
revolutions [per minute of her propeller], and then was just able
to make headway against the gale; and when outside, during the
period of four hours she made no headway, engines running at full
speed.
I regret to report the following loss of life:
On the Vandalia, four officers and thirty-nine men, viz:
| Capt. C.M. Schoonmaker. | Frank Lissman, sergeant. |
| Paymaster Frank H. Arms. | E.M. Hammer, seaman. |
| First Lieut. F.E. Sutton, [M]arine [C]orps. | George Gorman, carpenter. |
| Pay Clerk John Roche. | M. Craigin, captain after-guard. |
| George Murrage, bayman. | William Brown, first quartermaster. |
| B.F. Davis, engineer's yeoman. | T.G. Downey, paymaster's yeoman. |
| M.H. Joseph, engineer's yeoman. | Michael Cashen, corporal. |
| N.B. Green, bayman. | Nicolas Kinsella, corporal |
| H.P. Stalman, bayman. | H.C. Gehring, private marine. |
| C.H. Hawkins, steerage steward. | Adolph Goldner, private marine. |
| C.E.G. Stanford, landsman. | Frank Jones, private marine. |
| W. Brisbane, cabin steward. | George Jordan, private marine |
| Joseph Griffin, first-class fireman. | John Willford, private marine. |
| M. Erickson, ordinary seaman. | Henry Wixted, private marine. |
| Thomas Kelly, second-class fireman. | Aylmer Montgomerie, private marine |
| W. Howat, coal heaver | John Sims, private marine. |
| C.P. Kratzer, ordinary seaman. | G.H. Wells, private marine. |
| Thomas Riley, landsman. | Charles Kraus, private marine. |
| John Kelly, ordinary seaman. | Ah Kean, cabin cook. |
| Henry Baker, landsman. | Ah Pack, seamen's cook. |
| John Hantchett, sergeant. | Pen Dang, landsman. |
| Yee Hor, ward-room cook. |
| Joshua Heap, apprentice. | David Patrick Kellcher, coal heaver. |
| George W. Callan, apprentice | John Gill, seaman. |
| Hentry Pontseel, coxswain. | Thomas Johnson, cabin steward. |
| William Watson, first-class fireman. |
[to] The SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
--------------------------------------
Special
Report of Rear-Admiral L.A. Kimberly - Conduct of Officers and
Men.
APIA, SAMOA, April
16, 1889.
SIR: I take pleasure in calling the attention of the Department
to the efficient and indefatigable services rendered by the following
officers, who were on shore or who reached shore during the recent
hurricane at Apia, which was so destructive of life and property:
Ensign John L. Purcell, U.S. Navy.
Lieut. John A. Shearman, U.S. Navy.
Ensign H.P. Jones, U.S. Navy.
Ensign H.A. Field, U.S. Navy.
These officers worked incessantly, doing all that it was possible
to do in saving the Nipsic, in efforts to launch boats
and get lines to the Vandalia, and in patrolling the beach
and saving life. They all worked until overcome by physical exhaustion.
Ensign Field was in ill health when he left the ship and worked
until 4 p.m., when he succumbed. He has since been on the sick-list
and nigh unto death. Ensign Purcell and Lieutenant Shearman did
not yield until after midnight and were promptly at hand early
the following morning. Ensign Jones, in addition to his services
on the shore, is highly commended by his commanding officer in
a letter to me of March 26, of which the following is an extract:
I beg to call your attention particularly to the valuable services of Ensign H.P. Jones, jr., who was officer of the deck of the morning watch and who superintended the steering of this ship properly and carefully for two long hours to prevent the Olga from cutting us down. He stood bravely at his post by my side on the poop through all the storm, rain, and volumes of smoke, when at times we could see but a few feet ahead, as the blinding smoke and heat were simply terrible. Mr. Jones is a young officer of great promise, and bids fair to be of value to the service and to his country.
Ensign C.S. Ripley and Pay Clerk S.T.
Browne are worth of notice for their active efforts and the valuable
assistance they rendered.
Teoteo, a Samoan of Apia, made a desperate attempt to swim off
to the Vandalia with a line while the gale was at its height.
The heavy surf, the jagged reef strewn with wreckage and swept
by strong currents, through and over which he attempted to pass,
made this effort one of exceeding danger, and in the futile attempt
he nearly lost his life. I have learned of no greater risk of
life for others being accepted by any one on this occasion, and
I commend him to the favorable consideration of the Department,
trusting that his bravery will be recognized in so enduring a
manner that his example will be kept in memory and the spirit
that animated him fostered and developed wherever acts of courage
and sacrifice are cherished. In his intrepid effort Teoteo was
assisted in the management of the line by Toga, a native of Samoa,
whose father was a Tongan.
Charles Fruen, sr., a native of Apia, saved the life of Surgeon
E.Z. Derr, of the Nipsic, and in doing so risked his own.
Seumanutafa, chief of Apia, and Selu Leauanae did excellent service
in saving life, and took the lead in directing the work of the
natives. They organized boats' crews and carried out the suggestions
of the offices. Seumanutafa took charge of and steered the boat
which was the first to carry lines to the wreck in the early morning
of the 17th, while it was yet dark, and the passage across the
reef and approach to the Trenton was beset with difficulty
and danger.
All the Samoans were faithful, alert, and diligent in their efforts
to save life and assist the unfortunate people. Conspicuous among
them were the following:
| Tatopan. | Sofa. |
| Paniola. | Tualagi. |
| Sigito | Papalii. |
| Fanala. | Muniaiiuaga. |
| Folau. | William Hunkin. |
| Charles Freun, jr. | Neamea. |
Among my own crew those who rendered services and set examples were John Callahan (quartermaster), who had the mid-watch on the night of March 16, and who was stationed on the quarter to watch the movements of the Eber, which vessel was close under our stern, and to report her approach to the officer of the deck, who was watching the Olga, close on our port beam; Also Quartermaster R.H. Taylor, who was at the conn from 4 a.m. to the time the vessel was beached, never leaving it once, but conning the vessel amid the volumes of smoke and soot which were sweeping aft after the smoke-pipe had been carried away. We were steaming ahead through the night watches. James Lane and Henry Pontseel, seamen, were at the wheel from 1 a.m. till the vessel struck and during the collisions with the Olga, and remained there without flinching. I regret to say that Potseel was drowned. Chief Boatswain's Mate John Bradley and Boatswain's Mate William Cosgrove were very conspicuous during the night in doing all possible. Bradley has been a most valuable man to the Nipsic, and on more than one occasion has he shown himself a thorough seaman. I would be pleased to see him get a boatswain's warrant, for which I now recommend him. He is our leading spirit in times of danger. Brooks Cason, quartermaster gunner, acted as my messenger during a good part of the night and assisted me greatly. He is a brave lad and always at the proper place in time of need. I would recommend the above-named men for medals of honor.
Sergeant Grupp and Private William
Campbell, U.S. Marine Corps, were conspicuous in worthy and earnest
efforts along the beach, aiding the officers and assisting in
every undertaking to save life and property.
I commend to the notice of the Navy Department, Lieut. John M.
Hawley, the executive officer of the Nipsic, for his zeal
and energy in getting the Nipsic afloat after she was beached.
He had the entire charge of this work, and to his efforts in a
large measure is due the fact that the Nipsic is now afloat
without more serious injury, and with the possibility of future
service to the Government.
Naval Cadets J. A. Le Jeune, L.A. Stafford, and H.A. Wiley, serving
on the Vandalia, are commended as follows, by Lieutenant
Carlin, commanding the survivors:
The gale was terrific and the danger extreme, the ship being on the brink of destruction for fifteen hours. These young officers did their duty in the most commendable manner, distinguishing themselves for coolness, zeal, and pluck.
I have in previous letters to the
Department called its attention to the important services rendered
me by Malietoa Mataafa, and to the exceeding kindness of Captain
Kane of H.B.M.S. Calliope. These services are fully described
in my report dated March 19, Nos. 21 and 25; March 20, No. 22;
and March 21, No. 23; but the subject-matter of the present letter
would be fatally deficient without a marked reference to them.
I have endeavored in the foregoing to make a just statement of
the worthy efforts made by the persons mentioned, my chief sources
of information being the written reports of eye-witnesses; and
I now respectfully refer the matter to the Department with the
statement of my conviction that prompt recognition and reward,
commensurate with the character of the services rendered, will
be but a simple act of justice, and in the cases of our own men
will operate to the great advantage of the service.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
[to] The SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
Note: Naval Cadets were graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy
who served two years of sea duty before becoming fully-fledged
officers. Naval Cadet John Archer Lejeune, USNA 1888, became a
Marine Corps officer and was later the 13th Commandant of the
Marine Corps 1920-1929.
Source: Annual Report of the Secretary of the Navy,
1889. Part 2. (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1890):
95-98, 118-120.