Guam,
The chief island in the Ladrone group, in the
Pacific Ocean, situated about 1,500 miles east of
Luzon in the
Philippine Islands, 1,350 miles southeast of
Yokohama, and 3,300 miles west by south of
Honolulu.
During the war with
Spain it was seized by the
United States naval authorities, June 21, 1898; and by the treaty of peace was ceded to the
United States.
On Feb. 1, 1899, formal American possession was taken,
Capt. Richard P. Leary, U. S. N., becoming the first governor.
Under his regime much progress towards a higher civilization was made.
Polygamy was abolished, and on Feb. 22, 1900, slavery.
The United States government has established a naval and coaling station in the harbor of
San Luis d'apra, to facilitate operations between the
United States and the Philippines.
It is estimated that the improvements will cost several million dollars, as there is to be a breakwater, a coaling wharf and repair shops, and shore batteries for protection.
On Nov. 13, 1900, a typhoon of unprecedented violence swept over
Guam, causing the wreck of the
United States auxiliary cruiser
Yosemite.
Although the vessel had two anchors down the terrific wind drove her a mile across the harbor of
San Luis d'apra, where she
struck a reef and was then driven to sea, and sank Nov. 15.
A launch containing five men had been sent to find shelter, but it capsized and the occupants
[
183]
were drowned.
The remainder of the crew, numbering 173, were rescued on the afternoon of Nov. 15 by the
United States collier
Justin.
There was also a loss of more than thirty natives upon the island.
The principal city of
Guam is
Agana (q. v.).
