on" and the "Vandalia," which had been two of the
best of the old wooden fleet, were abandoned. The "Nipsic" sailed for
the Sandwich Islands, where she was refitted for active service. The
natives of Samoa displayed great heroism in their efforts to save the
shipwrecked sailors, and were afterward rewarded by the United States
government. Fifteen merchant vessels which were in the harbor were
either sunk or run upon the shore, and the German naval vessels
"Elber," "Adler," and "Olga" were wrecked, with the loss of many men.

When the United States cruiser "Baltimore" was at anchor in the harbor
off Valparaiso in October, 1891, shortly after the end of a Chilian
rebellion, a number of the seamen were given liberty to go on shore.
They were attacked by a mob in the streets of Valparaiso, and Petty
Officer Charles Riggin was stabbed, and left to die. Another petty
officer, Johnson, went to his assistance, and was attempting to carry
him to an apothecary, when a squad of Chilian police, with fixed
bayonets, came down the street. When at close quarters, they fired at
Johnson. A shot passed through his clothes, and another entered
Riggin's neck, inflicting a death-wound. Petty Officer Hamilton was
dragged to jail dangerously wounded. As a result of the attack, two
men, Riggin and Turnbull, died, and eighteen others were disabled by
wounds. Thirty-six of the "Baltimore's" men were arrested, and treated
by the Chilian police with extreme brutality. Investigation proved
that all had been perfectly sober and well-behaved. The attack grew
out of the bitter hostility of the Chilians toward the United
States--a feeling largely due to false accusations in reference to the
action of the navy during the Chilian revolution. The affair caused
excitement and indignation in the United States, but was amicably
settled.

[Illustration: Wreck Of The "Kearsarge."]

The most important assemblage of naval vessels ever seen in the waters
of America took place in April, 1893, in celebration of the Columbian
quadricentennial. Invitations had been sent to all the important
maritime powers, and at the rendezvous in Hampton Roads, on April
24th, the combined fleet, under the direction of Rear-Admiral
Gherardi, of the United States Navy, comprised twelve men-of-war of
the United States, four of England, three of France, two of Italy, two
of Germany, two of Russia, three of Brazil, and one of Holland. At New
York, the squadron was joined by one more