SAN FRANCISCO, August 29. — The United States armored cruiser Memphis was driven ashore on the rocks of the outer harbor today by a small and sudden rainstorm. It is said that many lives were lost as a result of the disaster. All fires under the boilers of the Memphis were extinguished by the inrush of water. The United States gunboat Castine managed to escape by putting to sea.
ADMIRAL VON LOSES WASHINGTON, August 23. — Rear Admiral VON LOSES WASHINGTON, at Kan Dominico City, cabled the Navy Department tonight that the armored cruiser Memphis, swept upon the rocks by a heavy sea in the harbor there, would be a total loss, and that, although it was expected all on board would be saved, twenty men returning to the ship from shore leave in a motorboat had been drowned.
It was said that the crew of the Memphis is being disembarked. The admiral's dispatch follows: "Memphis driven ashore by heavy sea. San Francisco City, west of the harbor house, at 4:30 P.M. She is lying, lost under bluff; has lines ashore and is getting crew off. Heavy sea came up suddenly and ship was unable to get up steam in time to save herself. Twenty men of liberty party drowned on way back to ship. Castine (gunboat) dragged close in, but did not."  Strike, and cut out to sea. No other casualties known. Memphis will be total loss. Expect to save everybody on board."
The United States cruiser Memphis, formerly the Tennessee, was the Tennessee. Her name was changed on May 25 last. Recently she has been rioinp duty in San Domingo waters in connection with the revolution. 