The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-04-10
Portland Passengers In Peril.


A letter lust received from DIR. Elpbaet
Clark of this city, passenger on board the
Pacific mail steamer Colima which broke three
blades of her propeller off Cerros Island on the
18th of March, gives graphic account OF the
disaster and the consequent priva.ons. 1t
will. be remembered that several Portland peo-
pie besides Dr. Clark were passengers on the
vessel The Doctor condemns in strong terms
the incapacty of the officers in command. The
letter bears date March 10Th, lat. $50 10, long.
115o 46, at anchor on westerly side of Cerros Is
land.
The letter states that boats were sent 10 San
Diego for relief on the 10Th Meanwhile the
provisions nearly gave ont there being nothing
left but spoiled ship biscuit and the passengers
and crew subsisted on an inferior kind OF f1sh
which they caught from the sea, near rocks
lying half way to the shore. This supply even
was scanty. and the privation was great. Inc
Doctor says Clancy if you can, $50 persons
near desolate island 200 miles from settle
ment, on half rations, many invallds IN the
number, and then TO add to our distress to be
com manded by man who had failed to in
spre confidence or affection, and you can only
make an approximation Of our fears.
On the 2Sth about eleven o'clock in the
morning steamer was sighted by one Of the
passengers Immediately the passengers, in
valids and all, rushed for the deck, screaming
and shouting. The sighted steamer proved to
be the Arizona of the Pacific mail, intercepted
by Capt. Gregory and crew sent off for relief on
the 10Th. Gregory was ordered to Point st.
Lucas (45O miles southeast) where all the
steamers pass, to watch for the first boat which
could give relief Three days out, on constant
watch and part of the time in rough weather,
| he sighted the Arzonaain the distance in the
| morning and brought her to by showing the
company signal to stop.
Capt. Gregory and his men were completely
worn out by their long. and wearisome pull.
Dr. Clark goes on to say ''The reception OF
| Gregory by our Capt. Hudson was ungracious,
and an ndignity to every passenger at whose
re quest he had been dispatched. Worn and
weary as he was he was ordered Immediately
to full duty; even his night watch was not
omitted though other officers offered to take
his place"
That evening the Colima was lowed out of
the cove. 1t was found she had oDe whole
blade aud two thirds of another, and worked
well. Next morning the Montana was sighted
and soon came alongside. She had on board
the first officer and seven men of the Colima
Who were sent to San Diego for relief eight
days before. The Montana is small screw
boat running from San Francisco to Colorado
and was met ninety miles south of San Diego
paper expressing appreciation of the deli
cate and dangerous services rendered by the
captains of the small boats was drawn up ant
signed by all the cabin passengers. The steam
er arrived at San Francisco on the 30th Te
passengers were all well, and the Doctor says
it did him good ito see the animals eat"
1t seems that the first mlshap befell ne Col
ina three days out, when she lay to bout six
hours to repair damages to heatd journal.
At Mazatlan freight was taken of, and the
vessel proceeded After that sb had consid-
cradle trouble with her macbnery. On Sun
day the 10Th, just after the morning service.
great crash was felt, which Numbered through
the ship. Steam was at oaoe shut off, and fore
sail and jlb set, and ordes given to go into a
cove several miles to tie right of Cerros island,
Then the cause of the crash was ascer ia ined to
be breakage of the snafts of the propeller.