Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-08-31
THIRTY-FOUR DROWNED.
The City of Chester Run Down by
the Oceanic
In san Francisco Bay. Almost In sight of
Land.


The steamer City Of Chester left her dock
in San Francisco at 9 30 the other morning
and started on her regular trip to Eureka,
on the northern coast of California. An
unusually large number of passengers
stood on her decks and waved adieu 10
friends who had gathered on the wharf.
The Chester steamed slowly down the bay
and when within two miles of the Heads
encountered the thick fog so peculiar in
that locality. Capt. Wallace of the City Of
Chester, began blowing his steamer $
whistle 70 warn all vessels off his approach
The Chester proceeded cautiously on her
course till OF Port Paint, when the hoarse
sound of another whistle toated across the
water
Capt. Wallace answered the signal and
gave the proper warning to the stranger 10
pass on the port side This was evidently
not understood, for in L moment those on
board saw the huge PROV Of the Occidental
and Oriental steamer Oceanic emerge from
the fog The huge steamer was so close TO
the Chester that there was no possibility
Tor the latter 10 escape. The cabin passen-
gers were nearly all on deck, and the cap
tain seeing the danger called 10 them TO
prepare for the shock. panic ensucd al
once, particularly among the women and
children, OF whom there was large number.
The Oceanic struck the Chester on the
port side, at the gangway, and her Prov
cut into the Chesters upper works, and
then crushed down TO the bulwarBs, tearing
great timbers and iron plates, and breaking
into staterooms and cabins. The widest
confusion AZ once prevailed among the pas
sengers. They crowded together, shrek
ing with fear, while others were praying
for help. The bow Of the Oceanic crashed
into the middle section of the Chester. cut
ting her almost into halves, and causing
her TO reel under the terrible blow.
When the vessels were locked "a number
OF the Chester passengers were pass
up over the Occanic's bow and rescued in
this way. but a. soon IS the large steamer
could clear herself she swung around and
Immediately began 10 lower her boats. At
the moment of the shock most OF the officers
and crew OF the Chester seemed to lose pos
session OF tneT scu rs aud several passen-
gers stated aftcrWard that some OF
the crew took the first opportunity 10
climb aboard the Oceanic, and left the pas
senRers 10 cut away the boats, and one OF
these was lowered as soon as possible and
a number Of passengers taken of in il.
Others provided themselves with life pre-
servers and jumped overheard but the
greater portion were compelled To remain
on the steamer, which began 10 settle i'm
mcdlately after.
Torrents Of water rushed into her hold
almost Immediately, and in five minutes
after the collision the Chester disappeared
and sank in - fathoIns of water. Those Of
the passengers aud crew who came 10 the
surface were picked up by the Occanic's
boats. but the greater number were drawn
down by the rushing water and never APP
peared again.
As soon IS IL was known around the bay
that collision had occurred a number Of
tugs and boats of all descriptions went 10
their assistance and rendered what service
they could in picking up the living or dead
who were floating among the wreckage.
The greatest loss of life is believed TO have
occurred among the steerage passengers of
which there were % aboard. They were in
the hold Of the steamer at the time OF the
collision, and there was no opportunity to
warn them Of danger or render any assist
ancc aftcrward.
Aside from the 81 Storage passengers. 10
Of the cabin passengers and three Of the
crew were drowned.