NARRATIVE OF THE CRUISE 33 1 



could not be accounted for. He had last been seen in the after 

 galley, immediately next to the tank-room; so it was apparent 

 that he too had lost his life. His remains were not discovered 

 till December 4, when salvage operations on the charred hull 

 of the vessel were commenced. 



Seaton, Graham, and Paul returned from their collecting-trip 

 about three hours after the tragedy. The hospital staff and 

 Government officials had done everything in their power for the 

 survivors. There was nothing further to do but to await the 

 arrival of the U.S.S. Oniario, the naval vessel from Pago Pago 

 which the Navy had ordered to our aid. 



The Engineer and Mechanic were too severely burned to stand 

 the journey to Pago Pago, so they were left in the hospital at 

 Apia. Parkinson, as second in command, also stayed to take 

 charge of affairs there. On the day following the explosion, all 

 the others were taken to American Samoa to await the steamer 

 from Sydney. The three injured seamen we brought with us were 

 put in the Naval hospital while the members of the staff were 

 taken into the homes of the Naval officers, and the crew was 

 quartered in the barracks. 



Everything was done to make us comfortable. We were fur- 

 nished necessary clothing — for the ship and all its equipment 

 together with our personal effects, had been a total loss. Gover- 

 nor Lincoln, on behalf of the Navy, arranged immigration papers 

 for entry into the United States for those who were not citizens. 



On December 6, the survivors accompanied the body of Captain 

 Ault aboard the Ventura for the sad journey home. 



