The morning call., 1890-11-11
ARCTIC PERILS.
Ten Men Lost From Vessels of
the Whaling Fleet.
Six of the Crew Of the C. W. Morgan Lost in
the 0khoisk Ssa-Four Men Washed Over
board From the Narwhal.

Two dreadful disasters occurred in the
Arctic Ocean during the present whaling
season, the particulars of which were only
learned yesterday. A boats crew of six
men were lost from the whaling-bark
Charles w. Morgan and four of the crew Of
the whaling steamer Narwhal were washed
overheard and drowned.
The story regarding the Charles w. Nor
gan as told by one of the crew is as follows
On the afternoon of September 1st the
lookout in the crow's-nest on the Morgan
sighted whale and shouted, "There she
blows!" Preparations were Immediately
made to give chase and boat containing
Bost-steerer William Griffith, Second Mate
ii. A. Martin, James Cook, Thomas Ste
venson. John Peters and b. F. Hargrave
was lowered and went in pursuit. A half
gale was blowing at the time.
Shortly after the boat had left the Nor
gan, the captain sent off another boat By
this time the boat in charge of Second
Mate Martin had closed in on the whale
and harpooned it. As soon as the whale
was harpooned it went through the water
at terrible rate, dragging the boat and its
occupants after il.
SOON LOST TO SIGHT.
Al efforts of the crew of the second boat
to catch up with the first party proved
futile, as they were then fully 800 yards
away and going rapidly away from where
the vessel was lying. During the afternoon
heavy fog set in The second boat re-
turned to the bark and reported that the
second mates boat had passed out of sight,
being towed by the whale.
Since then the boat and its occupants have
not been heard from, and it is feared that
all hands are lost. The bark cruised around
in the vicinity for few days in the hope of
picking the men up, but it was fruitless,
ana she proceeded on her way to this port.
James Cook, who was in the missing boat,
it is said, has wealthy relatives in Iowa and
ran away from home because he could not
get along with his stepmother.
When the boat lett the bark was in the
Oknotsk Sea, about ninety miles off the
land. There was a compass on board the
boat and a weeks provisions for each of
the SIX men, so that if she weaihered the
gale that was blowing the men may have
reached the shore. The crew of the Morgan
blame the second mate for not cutting Loose
from the whale when he discovered how
far he was being tow away from the YES
sci. They say he was afraid of being
laughed at if he returned to the ship empty
handed after harpoonDig his whale.
ON THE NARwHAL.
Four Of the crew of the steam whaler
Narwhal were washed overheard and
w
Lisbon, going along under easy sail in
gale of wind, she suddenly lutfed up, and a
heavy sea broke aboard, smashed a part of
the staTbOaId bulwarks and carried six men
overheard. Two of them were washed back
by a return wave and held on to lines until
hauled on board.
The names of the four men who were
drowned were: Frank Pezaro, Manuel Mar
ii n. John Campbell and Neils Peterson.
Campbell was well known in this city,
where he worked for long time as a ma
chinist at the Union Iron Works. Two of
his sisters are employed at the Occidental
Hotel, and when here he resided with
another sister. Mrs Savage.
FAILED To REPORT.
Although both the Morgan and the Mar
whal arrived in port before the Custom
house closed on Saturday the captain of
neither vessel. IL is said, made a report of
the accidents to the Collector of the Port
as the law directs, nor did they make any
report to the Merchants Exchange for the
benefit OF tie press, as is customary with
all captains on entering the port when any,
thing unusual has occurred on the VOYAGE.
Had they done SO, the relatives Of the un-
fortunate men would have been spared
much anxiety.
The section of the law regarding captains
reporting to the Collector Of the Port reads
as follows:
: That from and after the first day of July, 1874,
WHcbcNSt any StSStl VI Inc united StAteS las
sustained or caused any accident involving the
loss OF lie, the material loss OF property OF any
serious injury TO any person, or has received any
material damage affecting her seawOrthiDess or
her efficiency, the managing owner, agent or
master CT such vessel shall, within five DAYS
after the happening of such accident or damage.
or as soon as thereafter as possible send by let
ter to the Collector OF Customs OF the district
wherein such vessel belongs, or OF that within
which such accident or damage occurred report
thereon, signed by such owner, agent, or master,
stating the name and Official number III any) OF
the vessel, the port TO which she belongs the
place where she was, the nature and proba BILE
occasion OF the casualty, The number and names
OF those lost. aud The estimated amount of loss
or damage to the vessel or cargo; and shall fur.
nish, upon the request of either OF such Collect
ors Of Customs, such other Information concern
ing me vessei. her CARGO and the casually as
comply with the foregoing requirements after a
reasonable time, he shall incur penalty OF one
hundred dollars. =