Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-05-03
THE SlJNKEN SHIP.
Details of the Wreck off
Port Hartford.
PERFECT ORDER PREVAILED
How the Passengers were landed
in Small Boats-Other
Particulars.


A HERALD reporter yesterday after.
noon called on Mrs. DR. Lawrence,
who was on board "the Queen of the
Pacific" at the time Of the accident,
and obtained the following details Of
the disaster:
at was about A O'Clock in the
morning." began Mrs. Lawrence,
"when l was awakened by voice
outside my berth door saying that the
ship was sinking. My quarters were
on the lee side and | noticed that the
chamber appeared to be at an unusual
angle, and this was further evidenced
when ] attempted to get outside, for
ifesu.Hid! It is possible to to open the deer
owing to the pressure thus forced
upon it. / called to someone who
was passing to hberate me, and
when l reached the open air,
/ found number Of the
male passengers standing about on
deck, and considerable excitement
prevailing, though all was quiet and
orderly. We were within sight OF
land, but were creeping through the
water at O snail's pace, and it seemed
as if We would never reach port. l
made inquiries as to the cause of he
trouble, and was informed that it had
been discovered about two hours be-
fore that the ship had sprung a leak.
Captain Alexander and the other
officers were acting admirably, aud
kept the men at their posts, though
not, understand without threatening
them with death in case of desertion,
and noticed that the Captain had
several revolvers strapped about his
person. Orders were given
to move the cargo from
the lee side, in which
direction the ship was settling, to the
weather side, but all efforts to do this
proved fruitless, for as fast as it was
carried over it slipped back again.
The boats were all got in readiness
and tarpaulin hoisted around the
ship, to stop, if possible, the suction
of water into her hold. In the mean
time the ship was gradually filling,
some of the lower berths being com
pletely covered with water which, in
the dining room, reached up to a.
level with the tables. The men at
the pumps we're working up to their
necks in water, but labored pluckily,
and the captain said that he had no
doubt but that he could make Port
Hartford, which when the time the
leak was discovered was fifteen miles
distant. Nearer and nearer we came to
the desired haven, and at last we
crossed the bar into smooth water and
out OF all danger. The captain ran
the ship up as near the shore as pos
'sible so as to strand her, and it was
about 8 O'Clock when we touched bot
tom at point about 200 yards from
land. The vessel then settled to the
lee ward, leaving the other side high
and dry. The boats were lowered
and the work Of getting the passen-
gers, Of whom there were $50, to shore
began. 1t was rather an awkward
thing to do owing to the slant caused
by the position of the ship, but all
terminated successfully and we
reached the shore, where the entire
population of Port Hartford was await
ing us. We were well cared for and
efforts we're made to obtain our per-
'sonal effects from the ship, though all
of them could not be reached owing
to many of the cabins being filled
with water"
During the whole affair the officers
and crew behaved in most creditable
manner, and matters were so well
arranged that there was not even the
slightest disposition to panic among
the passengers. In fact, number Of
the ladies' on board did not know Of
the danger they we're in until they
were summoned 70 go on shore, as it
was deemed advisable to let them
sleep until the last moment. We re-
manned in port all day." concluded
Mrs. Lawrence, "and then the Santa
Rosa steamed in from San Francisco,
and brought US down to San Pedro" I"
''Did you hear anyone say what
caused the leak?" queried the re-
porter.
"Well, there were number OF theo-
ries aAoat one Of which was that dur
ing the lading the freight officer left a
portfolio open, which would OF course
account for the whole affair.""
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