Show charleston ft a complete loss manila nov IS details regarding the reported grounding of the united states stales cruiser charleston shows that she struck an une bartered coial reel reef ten miles cast ol of Kami guine island tier her stern was almost submerged and her bow almost out of water A heavy sea bea was on and the cruiser began rolling violently the watertight water tight doors were quickly closed but were stove in under the engine compartment the largest of tho the ship after the first efforts to right her the officers feared she might slide off because of the heavy sea and they abandoned the attempt to save ave her they hurried to the laun launches he and boats and rowed away prepared to fight for a landing with two colt guns rifles and ten leu days clays rations some of the officers and men were dressed only in pajamas and their under clothing tile the breech blocks of the cannon were removed before the boats put off two hours after the charleston struck all had gotten away |