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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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Photo # NH 2148:  Shattered bow of the German gunboat Eber on the beach at Apia, Samoa, after the 15-16 March 1889 hurricane

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

SMS Eber (Gunboat, 1887-1889)

Eber, a 735-ton iron-hulled gunboat, was built at Kiel, Germany. After commissioning in September 1887 she was sent to the Pacific for active service. Eber was anchored in Apia Harbor, Samoa, during hurricane of 15-16 March 1889. Though she was the most modern of the seven warships present, damage to her propeller made it impossible for her to survive the violent wind and seas. After a long struggle, Eber was forced against the edge of the harbor reef and sank quickly, with the loss of all but a few of her crewmen.

This page features the only views we have related to the German gunboat Eber.


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 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

 
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

 
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

 
Photo #: NH 42140

Hurricane at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March 1889


"The bow of the Eber washed ashore"
Artwork by Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, contained in his personal journal of the Apia Hurricane. It shows the bow of the sunken German gunboat Eber as it lay on the beach following the storm. The German gunboat Adler is on her side in the distance.

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 570 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 42139

Hurricane at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March 1889


"The bow of the Eber on the beach in front of the Consulate. The only visible part of the vessel. This part of the wreck was landed about 1/8 of a mile from where she struck the reef. 76 souls lost. ... Pencil sketch from Photograph."
Artwork by Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, contained in his personal journal of the Apia Hurricane. It shows the bow of the sunken German gunboat Eber as it lay on the beach 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: 107KB; 610 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 42137

Hurricane at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March 1889


"Sheers for hoisting the guns of the Trenton. The bow of the Eber & wreck of the Adler"
Artwork by Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, contained in his personal journal of the Apia Hurricane. It shows one of USS Trenton's heavy guns after it was hauled ashore using the sheer arrangement in the foreground. The shattered bow of the German gunboat Eber is on the beach by the sheer leg, and the German gunboat Adler is on her side in the right distance.

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

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 114KB; 740 x 550 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 42113

Hurricane at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March 1889


"Plan of the harbor of Apia, with positions of the ships before, and after the hurricane."
Chart drawn by Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, contained in his personal journal of the Apia Hurricane.
The chart gives locations for the U.S. Navy ships Trenton, Vandalia and Nipsic; German Navy ships Olga, Adler and Eber; and the British Navy ship Calliope.

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

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 253KB; 1200 x 875 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 42141

Hurricane at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March 1889


"Sketch of Apia Harbor showing Position of Wrecked Vessels after the Gale, Etc."
Sketch map by Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, contained in his personal journal of the Apia Hurricane.

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

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 71KB; 740 x 510 pixels

 


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


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Page made 23 March 2002
New images added 21 April 2002