Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 88, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 July 1898 — DISASTER TO OUR SHIPS. [ARTICLE]

DISASTER TO OUR SHIPS.

Eleven l.iirliters Wrecked Durlug ix Ntorui Off Const of Cuba—No Liven, It I* Thought, Lost. Washington, July ,9. —The war department was advised Friday night that during a severe storm off the coast of Cuba 11 lighters en route to Santiago in tow of tugs were swamped and lost. So far as known no lives were taken. The lighters were from Mobile, New Orleans and Charleston and were intended for the use of Gen. Shafter in transferring supplies and ordnance from the transports to shore. Their need was essential to the prompt forwarding of all military necessaries to the front before Santiago. The war department, upon receipt of this information, immediately put into operation efforts to replace the lost lighters at once.