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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Photo # NH 42118:  German gunboat Adler before the Apia  hurricane.  Artwork by Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- SHIPS of the GERMAN NAVY --

SMS Adler (Gunboat, 1885-1889)

Adler, a 1040-ton gunboat with a composite iron and wooden hull, was built at Kiel, Germany. She was commissioned in May 1885 and served overseas for her entire career. In 1888-89, Adler was active in Samoa in support of German efforts to impose a government of their choice. She was anchored in Apia Harbor, Samoa, during the hurricane of 15-16 March 1889 and was unable to resist the violence of the storm. In a feat of remarkable seamanship, her Commanding Officer used the force of wind and waves to lift her over the lip of the dangerous reef into shallow water, where she came to rest on her port side. Though the ship was lost, most of her crew survived. Adler's wreck remained on the reef far into the Twentieth Century, a visible relic of nature's power.

This page features and provides links to the only views we have related to the German gunboat Adler.

For more views related to SMS Adler, see:

  • SMS Adler (Gunboat, 1885-1889) -- In the Apia Hurricane of March 1889 (additional views).


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 42118

    Hurricane at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March 1889


    "The Adler before the Hurricane"
    Artwork by Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, contained in his personal journal of the Apia Hurricane. It shows the German gunboat Adler at anchor in Apia Harbor prior to the storm, and before she had made heavy weather preparations.

    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

     
    Photo #: NH 42286

    German Gunboat Adler


    Overturned on the reef, on the western side of Apia Harbor, Upolu, Samoa, soon after the storm.
    Note her battered hull, well for hoisting propeller, rescue bouy mounted on her stern, and decorative windows painted on her quarters.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 104KB; 740 x 590 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 42287

    German Gunboat Adler


    Overturned on the reef, on the western side of Apia Harbor, Upolu, Samoa, as crewmen began salvage work soon after the storm.
    Note men on her hull and upperworks, and canvas covered gun on her poop deck.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 109KB; 740 x 535 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 42288

    German Gunboat Adler


    Overturned on the reef, on the western side of Apia Harbor, Upolu, Samoa, during salvage work after the storm.
    Note the gun mounted on her poop deck, and bent propeller shaft visible at her stern.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 144KB; 740 x 585 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 42132

    Hurricane at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March 1889


    "India Ink copy of Photograph of H.I.M. Adler, bow view on reef. Bridge over River Mulvai"
    Artwork by Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, contained in his personal journal of the Apia Hurricane. It shows German gunboat Adler as she lay on the western side of Apia Harbor after the storm, with the Mulivai River bridge in the left background.

    Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Donation of Miss Elsie S. Kimberly, January 1958.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 595 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 42131

    Hurricane at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March 1889


    "Pencil sketch from Photograph of The wreck of the German, 'Adler', thrown on the reef on her beam ends"
    Artwork by Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, contained in his personal journal of the Apia Hurricane. It shows German gunboat Adler as she lay on the western side of Apia Harbor, following the storm.

    Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Donation of Miss Elsie S. Kimberly, January 1958.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 91KB; 740 x 530 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 42138

    Hurricane at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March 1889


    "The Adler thrown on her beam ends on the reefs."
    Artwork by Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, contained in his personal journal of the Apia Hurricane. It shows the German gunboat Adler as she was after the storm.

    Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Donation of Miss Elsie S. Kimberly, January 1958.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 102KB; 740 x 545 pixels

     

    For more views related to SMS Adler, see:

  • SMS Adler (Gunboat, 1885-1889) -- In the Apia Hurricane of March 1889 (additional views).


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 23 March 2002
    New images added 21 April 2002