Photo #: NH 42117
Hurricane at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March 1889
"Vandalia before the Hurricane"
Artwork by Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, contained in his personal
journal of the Apia Hurricane. It shows USS Vandalia at
anchor in Apia Harbor prior to the storm. She has not yet made
preparations for heavy weather, as top and topgallant masts are
still up.
Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Donation of Miss
Elsie S. Kimberly, January 1958.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 110KB; 740 x 565 pixels |
![](../../images/h42000/h42117t.jpg) |
Photo #: NH 2150
Samoan Hurricane of 15-16 March 1889
Wrecked ships in Apia Harbor, Upolu, Samoa, soon after the storm.
The view looks about northward, with USS Trenton and the
sunken USS Vandalia at left, the German corvette Olga
beached in the center distance and USS Nipsic beached
in the right center.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 570 pixels |
![](../../images/h02000/h02150t.jpg) |
Photo #: NH 42289
Samoan Hurricane of 15-16 March 1889
Wrecked ships in Apia Harbor, Upolu, Samoa, during salvage efforts
soon after the storm. The view looks about northward, with USS
Trenton and the sunken USS Vandalia to the left
and the beached German corvette Olga at right.
Wreckage just off Trenton's stern may be from the German
gunboat Eber, which was destroyed when she struck the
harbor reef during the hurricane.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 465 pixels |
![](../../images/h42000/h42289t.jpg) |
Photo #: NH 2148
Samoan Hurricane of 15-16 March 1889
Wrecked ships in Apia Harbor, Upolu, Samoa soon after the storm.
The view looks northwestward, with the shattered bow of the German
gunboat Eber on the beach in the foreground. The stern
of USS Trenton is at right, with the sunken USS Vandalia
alongside. The German gunboat Adler is on her side in
the center distance.
Trenton's starboard quarter gallery has been largely ripped
away.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 585 pixels |
![](../../images/h02000/h02148t.jpg) |
Photo #: NH 2149
Samoan Hurricane of 15-16 March 1889
Scene in Apia Harbor, Upolu, Samoa, during salvage efforts, circa
late March or early April. The view looks about northwestward.
In the foreground are improvised shear legs and purchase for
handling guns, carriages and other heavy weights removed from
the wrecks. This arrangement was used both in landing materials
and later in embarking it on USS Monongahela for transit
home.
The bow of the German gunboat Eber is at left, by the
shear legs. USS Trenton is in the center, with the sunken
USS Vandalia alongside. Vandalia's smokestack has
been removed to replace that of USS Nipsic, which is probably
the ship in the right distance. In the left distance is the German
gunboat Adler, on her side in shallow water.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 118KB; 740 x 635 pixels |
![](../../images/h02000/h02149t.jpg) |
Photo #: NH 97996
Samoan Hurricane of 15-16 March 1889
View from the wrecked USS Trenton, with USS Vandalia
sunk alongside. Taken in Apia Harbor, Upolu, Samoa, during the
salvage of the ships' armament and equipment. Lines between Vandalia's
foremast and Trenton's deck were used to save men clinging
to Vandalia's rigging during the storm.
Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Collection of Admiral
Richard H. Jackson, 1965.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 109KB; 740 x 600 pixels |
![](../../images/h97000/h97996t.jpg) |
Photo #: NH 2151
Samoan Hurricane of 15-16 March 1889
Scene in Apia Harbor, Upolu, Samoa, soon after the storm. The
view looks about southwestward, with USS Nipsic beached
in the foreground. Beyond her stern is USS Trenton (in
the right center) and the sunken USS Vandalia (in the
center, alongside Trenton).
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 120KB; 740 x 565 pixels |
![](../../images/h02000/h02151t.jpg) |
Photo #: NH 97993
Samoan Hurricane of 15-16 March 1889
Scene in Apia Harbor, Upolu, Samoa, soon after the storm. USS
Nipsic is beached in the center. Beyond her, to the right,
are USS Vandalia (sunken) and USS Trenton.
Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Collection of Admiral
Richard H. Jackson, 1965.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 148KB; 740 x 630 pixels |
![](../../images/h97000/h97993t.jpg) |
Photo #: NH 42291
German Corvette Olga
Beached on the eastern side of Apia Harbor, Upolu, Samoa, soon
after the storm.
View looks to the southwestward, with the wrecks of USS Trenton
and USS Vandalia in the left background.
Note Olga's damaged bow. Her funnels and fore and main
topmasts are in lowered positions.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 88KB; 740 x 485 pixels |
![](../../images/h42000/h42291t.jpg) |
Photo #: NH 42292
Samoan Hurricane of 15-16 March 1889
View looking to the southward from the eastern side of Apia Harbor,
Upolu, Samoa, showing driftwood and debris that lined the beach
immediately after the storm.
The sunken wreck of USS Vandalia is visible at the far
right edge of the photograph.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 121KB; 740 x 585 pixels |
![](../../images/h42000/h42292t.jpg) |
Photo #: NH 97994
Samoan Hurricane of 15-16 March 1889
Scene in Apia Harbor, Upolu, Samoa, following the storm. USS
Trenton is in the center, with salvage operations underway.
Barely visible on her opposite side is the sunken USS Vandalia.
Surf is breaking on the reef, closer to the camera.
Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Collection of Admiral
Richard H. Jackson, 1965.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 91KB; 740 x 620 pixels |
![](../../images/h97000/h97994t.jpg) |