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![handle is hein.usccsset/usconset30066 and id is 1 raw text is:
57TH CONGRESS, SENATE. REPORT
2d Session. f No. 2545.
OFFICERS AND CREW OF THE U. S. S. CHARLESTON.
JANUARY 20, 1903.-Ordered to be printed.
Mr. HALE, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, submitted the
following
REPORT.
[To accompany H. R. 5756.]
The Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was referred the bill
(H. R. 5756) for the relief of the officers and crew of the U. S. S.
Carleston, lost in the Philippine Islands November 2,1899, having con-
sidered the same,. report thereon with a recommendation that it pass.
The committee adopt the report of the House Committee on Claims,
to whom the bill was referred in the House, which is as follows:
The Committee on Claims, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 5756) for the
relief of the officers and crew of the U. S. S. Charleston, lost in the Philippine Islands
November 2, 1899, beg leave to submit the following report and recommend that said
bill do yass with an amendment.
This is a bill enacting that to reimburse the officers and crew of the U. S. S.
Charleston, destroyed on a coral reef off Camiguin Island, in the Philippines, Novem-
ber 2, 1899, for losses incurred by them, respectively, in the destruction of said vessel
there shall be paid to each of said officers and crew, or to the personal representatives
of any who may be deceased, out of any money in the Treasury of the United States
not otherwise appropriated, a sum equal to the losses so sustained by them.
The facts regarding the losses referred to are as follows: On November 2, 1899,
about 6 a. m., this ship, Charleston, was wrecked upon an uncharted reef about 12
miles off Camiguin Island, in the Philippines. The charts and sailing directions
furnished the captain of the vessel indicated that there was a clear channel 6 miles
in width at the point where the accident occurred. The vessel had a large hole
opened in the bottom by striking the reef and the inrushing water quickly put out
the fires, so that there was no steam to run the dynamos, thus making complete
darkness below deck. This, together with the short time allowed the officers and
crew for getting the boats launched and getting away from the fast-sinking ship,
prevented them from securing their clothing and other property.
The Charleston was lost by reason of imperfect charts furnished its officers. These
charts were furnished by the Government through the Bureau of Navigation, and,
while being the best then to be had, were misleading, and by reason thereof the
officers and men sustained a loss which your committee believe should be borne by
the Government instead of by the unfortunate individuals.
A court of inquiry to examine into the matter of the loss of the Charleston was con-
vened, which reported that the evidence before it showed that every precaution was
taken to insure the safety of the vessel against ascident; that proper lookouts were
stationed; leadsmen were in both chains keeping the leads in constant use; that the
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