, 1875-11-18

u
disaster, passed through this
city last night, on the North Pa
cific, on the way to his family
in the Puyallup Valley.
The Pacific DisAsrER.-The follow
ing is the statement Of the Quartermas.
ter of the Pacific, as taken from the
Victoria Colonist:
His name was said to be Neil O'Hen-
ley. and he was described as a slight,
wiry man Of about 81 years of sge. ma
iya Of the Eebrides Islands, to the
Northwest of Scotland. The statement
was as follows:
"We left Victoria at $50 A. NJ. Nov.
4tb. with about $50 persons on board,
as near as I can tell. All went we'll till
past Tatoosh light about P. N. Steer
ing Sou Sou'west. was on the STAR
board watch; at 8 p. NJ. went below; all
right and lights in place. the third Off
Ger Mr.. Hughes having the deck till IL
midnight. About 10 p. M. was arous-
ed by a terrific crash. Jumped out of
my bunk, the water rushing through
the bow. On going on deck 1 heard
Capt. Howell shout '.hard astarboard"
and saw all hands rush on the hurricane
deck. Shortly after the helm was star
borded the ship fell into the trouth of
the sea and became uamapageble, the
fires being extinguished; all was confos.
IGN the passengers crowding into the
boats which the officers and crew were
trying to clear away. The chief engin-
eer and myself were at the forward port
boat and succeeded in getting ter INTO
the water with about Is woman and
men. The boat struck the side of the
ship and filled. The engineer jumped
for the steamer, I followed, catching
one of the smoke stack stays. I never
saw the engineer since. When I caught
the stay it appeared to me that the
steamer was rolling over towards me.
In few seconds came up and caught
one of the after skylights; it rolled
over and l was again adrift. Seeing
several persons cn part the hurricane
deck, l swan towards them. I succeed
ed in getting on to it. found one wom-
an and three men passengers there
Capt. Howell. the End officer and End
cook aud another quarte-master, ma
king 8 altogether. Captain had moth
ing on but shirt and drawers. I saw
many people clinging to portions OF the
wreck scattered around. At this time
it came on to blow furiously With rough
and heavy sea and nearly swept as all
off. I do not think boat crowded with
people could have lived. About A. M.
on the 9Th, the captain and three others
were washed off and sank. At daylight
We could see the land about Is distant,
with fresh south west wind and heavy
sea. saw another piece OF wreck about
"a n lie off with two or more people
on it. At A. M. one died and rolled off
our raft. During that night the rest
died and was left alone. A large dry
goods box dfifted alongside and 1 sue
ceeded in getting it on the raft, which
sheltered me- from the wind and spray.
On the 7th. Sunday, it was calm and
clear and could see land on both sides.
l felt should soon be seen and picked
up by some vessel. Up to this time 1
did not feel any hunger or thirst. My
feet began to swell q little but no pain.
During the day I slept considerably.
Large bodies of keip had accumulated
around the raft which made the water
smooth. On Monday morning at three
o clock heard noise and looking out
of my box ! saw the lights of q steamer;
] shouted and God seemed to strength-
en- my lungs, for l shouted louder every
time. At last heard voice saying
"aye, aye, hold on. my boy, we will get
you soon." A boat came and took me
of to the U. s. Revenue Cutter Oliver
Walcott, where was kindly received
and cared for by the officers and crew."
The above was copied from q written
and further information was
gwen both by Mr.. Stratton and the pilot
Chas. Howard, to the effect that in con-
vefsation with them O'Henley had said
that coming ON deck he was told the
steamer had been run into by q large
ship. This vessel was pointed out to hi u
and he distinctly saw her green light.
He also described the female On the raft
as being young. and said that the second
mate took all possible care Of her, assist
ing her on to the raft two or three times
after she had been washed off, and at
last both went off together and be saw
them no more. He says that the Chi
namer got into the boats and slowed
themselves away under the seats and
the officers could do:nothing with them
The 2nd mate while ON the raft express.
ed an opinion that the first mate had
got away with about eight men in his
boat. O'Henley thinks all the other
beats broke up and the steamer sunk In
about half an hour.
TIE PAcrr1c.-Among those who
sailed from Victoria We observe the
following;
Mr.. Francis Garesche, Wells, Fargo
& Co. 3 agent at that place, and also q
banker. Mr.. g. was q most excellent
business man gentleman who was
held in high esteem. He had on board
the steamer at the time about $500 600
in gold dust which he was taking to The
mint ~ Cav. Rp.wcss~~