Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 February 1893 — The Hurricane at Samoa. [ARTICLE]

The Hurricane at Samoa.

A curious statement regarding the disaster to the American and German warships in the famous hurricane at Bamoa on March 15, 1889, is made by Robert Louis Stevenson in his new book, “Eight Years of Trouble in Bamoa.” It will be remembered that this hurricane ocourred whon the political troubles in the island were at their height, and great jealousy existed among the several white uations represented there. In that hurricane the three American warships and the three German warships stationed at Apia were wrecked,together with some fifteen merchant vessels. The British warship Calliope was the only man-of-war that escaped, and she steamed out to sea und outrode the storm. Mr. Stevenson says the loss of the warships was rather a political tosn » nautical catastrophe. Under ordinary circumstances, he says, they would and could all have steamed out of the harbor at the first sign of the hurricane, and eould have escaped. But the jealous and hostile feeling between the Germans and Americans was great that neither Vas at all Inclined to up anohor and steam; out to certain safety leaving the other In occupation of the harbor. Mr. Stevenson blames the . Germans for, tl.e whole of the trouble in Samoa.