Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-05-18
RuRsED AT SEA.


Destruction by Fire of the Steamer Cram
pier, on seymour Narrows. B. c.-Frfeht.
full scenes Among the Ranic-Stricken
Passengers-Sixty Chiname Bnrned.a
VICTORIA, B. c., May 4.
John McAllister, who arrived at Nanaino
"Wednesday night from Seymour Narrows.
reports the burning Of the steamer Grappler
within four miles of that place at ten clock
Sunday night. The fire was first discovered
by the engineer and reported to- the Can
I tain. All the passengers. one hundred in
number, principally Cinnamon, were in bed.
An immediate search was made
fora. the a fire., and H.. was dis
covered back OF the boler.--Tbe DONKEY
engine was Stated and connected with the
hose, the passengers getting out of bed in
great excitement. The fire, which had hold
OF the Dulkhead and canvas, brOkeout and
the captain ordered Pilot Franklin toliead
the vessel for the Vancouver shore. THE
passengers we've so excited that they began
crowding into the boats, which were enyeI-
Oped in smoke. The shrieks of the China
men were terrible. Mr.. McAllister then
went aft to clear four boats that were being
crowded by Cinnamon, who were yelling
like demons.
The steamer being Under way and tia
smokepOnripg aft catsed so much excite
ment at the stern that it was difficult ia
launch the boats. one-boat was launched.
Chinaman and white man getting into it.
McAllster Jumped over board and climbed
mo y ulerHard. There Vas no oars in the
boat, but they sailed her with a broom and
bamboo stick for Valdes Isl and, the nearest
shore: When hall way to the island they
saw that the steamer had become unmar1-
agea0le through the burning of the wheel
ropes, and had changed her course
Tor Naldes Island. She passed McAllister
and turned Fagain- when, near the Valdes
shore. IA uumber OF the passes gers plunged
overheard. McAliister' picked mp a man
named Roe and two Cinnamon. The steam
er kept going backward and forward in an
eTmtlc manner, the passengers shrieking and
yefhne for assistance and the flames spread-
ing rapidly. Having landed those picked
mp, McAlllSter, guided by the light of the
flames, proceeded where The vessel ha1fInade
the last turn and picked up Steele,
the engineer, some white men and
Chinamens about az boat-Ioaf.s and
made ferfhe shore Hehad greatlifieuItv
in landing, being so near the narrows. He
did not venture ont again. He lighted
fire for the men who had been in the water
over an hour and were half dead with cold.
DN lnlS llule the SIeamoFS engine had
stopped, and, catching in the eddy, she
grounded at point in Duncan Bay close
10 the, Vancouver shore. She was wreathei
in flames from stem to stern, and seyera,
explosions took place at intervals. She
burnt for hours, and at daylight no sisi, of
her could be seem. One boat thrown from
the vessel was turned bottom up and tile
largest boat was filed in launching through
bungling. a small boat was successfully
launched, AM. pieked up the mate and sew
cral white men, names unknown.
AT daylight, Smith, in the ships boat,
proceeded tOthe Vancouver shore for helm.
where he found trader, who sent Indians
in canoes to bring the survivors into camp,
where food was prepared. Captain Jaggers
was last seen In midcuuent with a life-pre-
server on. Pilot Franklin was last sect in
the pilot-house,, herocially doing his duty.
lie may lI;Ive reached the Vancouver shore,
but little hope is entertained of this Nc
Allistcr estim ties tie loss of life at sixty
persons at the lowest. The steamer Alex
ander has Just left for Comox and the scene
of the wreck, being sent forward by order
OF Mr.. DunSmire.