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Photo # NH 42116:  'Apia facing the Entrance of Harbor', artwork by Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, USN

Online Library of Selected Images
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Lewis A. Kimberly, Rear Admiral, USN, (1830-1902)

Lewis Ashfield Kimberly was a U.S. Navy officer on active service between 1846 and 1892. As was typical for many in his profession during the epoch before the widespread use of photography, he learned to draw in order to provide supporting material for official reports. In 1889, while in command on the Pacific Station with his flag in USS Trenton, Kimberly experienced the very destructive hurricane that struck Apia, Samoa. Following his retirement, Rear Admiral Kimberly made a series of artworks and charts depicting various aspects of this event. These were used to illustrate his personal journal about the storm, entitled "Picture History of the Samoan Hurricane of the 16th of March 1889".

This journal was donated to the Naval Historical Foundation in January 1958 by Rear Admiral Kimberly's daughter, Miss Elsie S. Kimberly. It was subsequently transferred to the Foundation's documentary collection at the Library of Congress. In 1960, Navy photographers copied the journal's artworks on black and white film, and reproductions from these negatives are featured below, in the same order as they were originally numbered in 1960.

This page provides reproductions of artworks from Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly's journal of the 1889 Samoa hurricane.

A continuation of this pictorial coverage is provided on:

  • ARTISTS -- Lewis A. Kimberly, Rear Admiral, USN, (Part II); and
  • ARTISTS -- Lewis A. Kimberly, Rear Admiral, USN, (Part III).

    For more information and pictures related to this artist, see:

  • Rear Admiral Lewis Ashfield Kimberly, USN.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

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

    Photo #: NH 42110

    Hurricane at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March 1889


    "Rear Admiral Lewis Ashfield Kimberly U.S.N. painted these pictures of the hurricane at Samoa after his retirement while he lived at 72 Perkins St. West Newton, Massachusetts. I can recall his saying that it was the swift and tremendously strong under tow that was a great factor in keeping the U.S.S. Trenton from pounding down on the sharp reefs as each wave threw her upon them. He also spoke of the spontaneous cheer of the men on the Trenton, as the Calliope drew past and went out to sea."
    Comments by Miss Elsie S. Kimberly, daughter of Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, concerning the sketches of the Apia hurricane that are contained in his personal journal.

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

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 70KB; 740 x 550 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 42111

    Hurricane at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March 1889


    "Position of the Samoan Islands Relative to the High Ways of Commerce Between America and the Antipodes."
    Map drawn 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: 87KB; 645 x 675 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 42112

    Hurricane at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March 1889


    "Picture History of the Samoan Hurricane of the 16th of March 1889."
    Map of Upolu Island, Samoa, with Apia Harbor on its northern shore, drawn by Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, as the frontispiece and title page of 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: 110KB; 740 x 570 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 42114

    Hurricane at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March 1889


    "Appearance of the harbor before the Hurricane."
    Artwork by Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, contained in his personal journal of the Apia Hurricane. It shows U.S., German and British warships, as well as civilian shipping, anchored in Apia Harbor.

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

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 95KB; 740 x 560 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 42115

    Hurricane at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March 1889


    "Harbor from Mulinuu Point."
    Artwork by Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, contained in his personal journal of the Apia Hurricane. It shows Apia Harbor, with U.S., German and British warships, and civilian shipping, at anchor prior to the storm.

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

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 104KB; 740 x 600 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 42116

    Hurricane at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March 1889


    "Apia facing the Entrance of Harbor"
    Artwork by Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, contained in his personal journal of the Apia Hurricane. It shows a waterfront scene at Apia prior to the storm.

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

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 113KB; 740 x 510 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 42117

    Hurricane at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March 1889


    "Vandalia before the Hurricane"
    Artwork by Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, contained in his personal journal of the Apia Hurricane. It shows USS Vandalia at anchor in Apia Harbor prior to the storm. She has not yet made preparations for heavy weather, as top and topgallant masts are still up.

    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 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 42119

    Hurricane at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March 1889


    "The Trenton before the Hurricane"
    Artwork by Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, contained in his personal journal of the Apia Hurricane. It shows USS Trenton at anchor in Apia Harbor prior to the storm, 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: 117KB; 740 x 555 pixels

     

    A continuation of this pictorial coverage is provided on:

  • ARTISTS -- Lewis A. Kimberly, Rear Admiral, USN, (Part II); and
  • ARTISTS -- Lewis A. Kimberly, Rear Admiral, USN, (Part III).


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 6 April 2002