Mr. Hay to Mr.
White.
Department of State,
Washington, March 20,
1900.
No. 333.]
Sir: I inclose for your information copy of a
letter from the Secretary of the Navy transmitting a communication from
the commanding officer of the U. S. S. Wheeling,
wherein he expresses his appreciation of the unreserved kindness of the
British officers and men at the time of the explosion on board the Wheeling, at Hongkong, China.
You are instructed to transmit a copy of the letter in question to the
proper authorities of Her Majesty’s Government, with a warm expression
of this Government’s high appreciation of the kind action of the
officers and men of Her Majesty’s navy on the occasion in question.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Long to Mr.
Hay.
Navy Department,
Washington, March 12,
1900.
Sir: I have the honor to forward herewith a
copy of a letter from the commanding officer of the Wheeling, wherein he expresses his
appreciation of the unreserved kindness
[Page 631]
of the British officers and men at the time of
an explosion on board the Wheeling, at
Hongkong, China.
The Department requests that, if compatible with the views of the
State Department, this appreciation of the kindness shown be
conveyed to the British Government.
I have, etc.,
[Subinclosure.]
Mr. Burwell to
commander in chief of Flagship
Brooklyn.
U.
S. S. Wheeling,
Hongkong
China, February 1,
1900.
Sir: 1. I have the honor to report that
since the gun accident reported by me on the 27th ultimo to the
senior officer present, there have been no material facts
obtainable, as no one who was present at the time can yet be
examined.
2. The salute was ordered to be fired in honor of the German Emperor.
The usual selected crew, under charge of the executive officer, was
firing the salute and the men of the spar deck were at “attention.”
As there were a large number of vessels firing around us, the
accident below was not noticed until I saw that our salute had
stopped. I went forward and, seeing smoke coming up, ordered the men
to fire quarters. Finding that there were casualties, sent to Baltimore for more medical aid. In the
meantime the English cruiser Brisk, next to
us, had noticed the fire alarm and had sent a surgeon. Immediately
after, another surgeon was sent from the Centurion, the flagship of Vice-Admiral Seymour. Every
assistance was given by the English fleet. The men were transferred
at once to the naval hospital, and have since been treated with the
utmost kindness.
3. On the day following the accident the funeral of C. A. Campbell,
gunner’s mate, third class, took place. Admiral Seymour, in a
private note, requested me to inform him as to the time of the
funeral. The band of the Centurion and
mourners from the Centurion and Brisk accompanied the procession. The
governor sent promptly an expression of sympathy and permission to
land a firing party. Messages of condolence have been received from
all the foreign vessels in the harbor.
4. I can not express too strongly my appreciation of the unreserved
kindness of the English officers and men at this time. Nor can I
tell which I admire most, the admirable preparedness which gave such
prompt and efficient aid, or the delicate sympathy which has been
shown for us in our misfortune.
I have, etc.,
W. T. Burwell,
Commander, U. S. Navy,
Commanding.
