A massive typhoon struck Apia, Samoa on March 15, 1889 killing 51 American sailors assigned to the USS Trenton, the USS Vandalia, and the USS Nipsic. Shown here, the USS Vandalia lies on her side. The Vandalia alone lost 43 crew members.
Categories: Ships and Submarines
 
 
Thank you to the Mario Family Foundation for enabling the digitization of the U.S. Naval Institute’s Photo Archive. The physical photos in the Photo Archive are stored in the Mildred M. Mario Photo Archive Room located at the U.S. Naval Institute’s Headquarters in Annapolis, MD.

©2025 U.S. NAVAL INSTITUTE