The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1886-10-21
Shipwreck.


Saturday last was an event of moro
than usual interest, inasmuch as our
highly respected fellow citizen had
encountered extraordinary dangers
during his absence of over two
months. He was heartily welcomed
home, and has been warmly congrat.
ulated upon his safe arrival. The
following account of the wreck is
from the Tacoma Ledger, of October
10th, kindly furnished the HERALD
by Mr.. Drew:
The steamer George z. Starr last evening
sbrought to this city about fifteen passen.
gers from the wrecked steamer the
Ancon. Upon learning that this party had
arrived. Ledger reporter found Rev. J. B.
Drew ofSauk Centre. Mimi, at The Tacoma.
who very kindly related an account Of the
trip notrh from Victoria on the steamer.
Mr.. Drew states that on the evening Of Sep
tsmber 10, the Ancon was under full steam,
and at Point Gustoven, at the entrance to
Glacier bay. the steamer struck q rock and
stove hole In the fore part Of the ship.
about feet wide and Is feet lsng. The wind
was blowing very strong and . tremendous
sea was rolling at the time she struck. Con.
siderable anxiety was manifested and yet
the passengers were comparatively cool.
The steamer had In the bottom OF the held
about 300 tons Of coal and this, with the
water coming in. made her situation . dam
gerous one. At II O'Clock the fires In the
boilers were put out by the water, 'and short.
ly after IL o'clock midnight, the tide rose
the tide rose and the beat was fioated, and
Captain Carroll with his crew hoisted all
sail and ran his steamer about mile and
half distant where he ran her bow upon the
beach. At the time the steamer struck there
was about 128 feet Of water under her stern,
and IL Is remarkable that she did not sink.
After captain Carroll had beachsd his ship,
most OF the main deck was about six feet un.
der water. and the passengers were all
obliged 10 seek the upper deck whore they
lived, slept and ate for fourteen days before
being rescued by the steamship Idaho. AT.
| ter the accident captain Carroll sent a steam
| launch to Killisnoo. about 80 miles distant,
and from there word was sent to Sitka. The
| government there hearing of this accident,
| and knowing OF the manv lives in danger
despatched tho U. s. g. Pinta to the scene OF
the wreck. The Pinta arrived and having
no accommoda lions for the passengers, wen,
to Juneau where she LEFT word for the cap.
tain Of the steamship Idaho, which was de.
| livered upon the steamers arrival. After
spending the long time OF a fortnight, the
| passenger were taken from the wrecked
ship by the Idaho, carried to Sitka and
thence to Victoria where they arrived on
| Friday evening.
| I'm tIa ctsw
the passengers passed the time in hunting
nshing, playing whist and in many other
ways. The Indians came to the wreck and
many ofthem camped on the beach near the
steamer. and afforded the passengers some
considerable spsrt. A great amount of rain
was experienced during their stay on the
wreck; In fact, but one clear day was seen
while they were there. The steamer Pinta
took the party to Muir glacier, while they
were there. and then returned with them te
the wreck.
The party speak in the highest terms o.
captain Carroll, his treatment of his pas
sengers, and his disposition to comfort them
The Ancon was doated October 2, and tax
en- TO Douglass Island, where she will b,
patched up, and then taken to San Francisco
for repairs.
Members Of the party stated that the rea
son the steamer did not sink at first wa,
from the fact 1t took some time to pas
through the fine coal in the bottom Of tn,
ship, and also that the hold was filled will
empty barrels which aided in bouying VI
the steamer.
Lieutenant schwatka Joined the party a
sitka and accompanied them on the steame
Idaho to this city. During his teur II
Alaska he made the ascent of Mt. st. Elias
and reached point about ZOO feet high
which is higher than any one has eve
reached. Lieutenant Schwatka will take
special car with the Alaska party this morn
ing for New York city.