New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-24
HEROIC CAPTAIN COLCORD.
THE STORY OF THE WRECK OF THE SHIP
ELIZABETH.
THRILLING NARRATIVE OF FIRST NATE BAR
CLAY-PoUNDED TO PIECES on THE
ROCKS BY TREMENDOUS SEAS.


ROCKS BY TREMENDOUS SEAS.
San Francisco, Feb 23-The loss of lives by
thc wrecking of the clipper ship Elizabeth of
North Head Saturday night is now estimated at
nineteen, including Captain Henry, of the local
iiie-saving service. Eleven persons including the
VIE and children of Captain Cocord, of the Eliza
peth, were saved. Charles Barclay, first mate OF
the wrecked ship, who with four others succeeded
III noatlng ashore yesterday, says that after the
captains family had been placed aboard the tug
Reliance on Saturday every effort was redouhled
10 save the ship from impending DOOM captain
Colcord said the mate badly hurt in the after
noon by being thrown against capstan, and was
unable to move except with great pain, but he
herocally refused to be sent ashore and protested
that he desired to stay by the ship. The angry
sea and gale were what the helpless ship had to
encounter and though within cannon-shot OF port
she met her fate on the ragged rocks on which
the combined forces Of the elements threw her,
Several tugs came up and attmpted succor, but
their tow lines either fell short Of the decks or
were broken like threads.
We drfted to the leeward all the time said
the mate. Il ordered lifeboat ready for launch
ing when the ship struck the rock ard then went
aft and requested the captain to come with us, as
il was certain death t. remain by the ship any
longer. as she was beilg pounded to pieces. The
captain replied
" Save yourself, Barclay. I'm crippled and will
only hamper you.''
Barclay said he took the captain by the arm ana
started to lead him forward, when the hcavy seas
washed the latter from his grasp. Blrciay again
got hold Of him. and assisted by one oi the crew,
struggled through the tremendous seas sweeping
over the deck. sailor suddenly exclaimed that
the captain was dead. and Barclay saw that such
was the case. He went forward and found thirteen
OF the crew had launched tic hlchoat and were
endcavoring to keep near the snip to render all
possible assistance Tie hiqh winds and waves soon
drove them ont Of sight Barclay and eight men
remained on the vessel The mantopgallant
mast went by the board. The mizzcn-mast fell
with crash and soon followed by the lore
top-mast The vessel was raised hign on the
waves and fell upon the rocks, where she broke
asundcr. Barclay and four companions struS-
ged with the waves for long time, but were
finally carried ashore three Of the men remained
cntagled in the wreckage and were drowned.
The names of those saved with Barclay were
+. Grcenwald. Lewis Murray, Carl Lenert and {.
Adler, seamcn. The lifc-saving crew. which had
made a hard march fourteen miles across the
hills, found them being cared for by Portuguese
ranchcrS
The boat containing thirteen seamen, which left
the Elizabeth before she broke mp, was over
turned by the waves and only four Of lie occu-
pants were saved The list of survivors 80 FAR as
known comprises Mrs, Colcord. tire captains wife,
their son and daughter: Chief Mate Barclay
James Taken. the wheelman. and sin seamen
Captain Colcord. Second Officer Pcndcton. Will
lam Redmond and Edward Miles, hoatSwans
Carpenter Smith. twelve seamen and the Chinese
cook were drowned.
The body of Captain Henry, of the life-saving
service who was washed overheard from the
nicboat has been found. and body believed 10
bc that Of Captain Colcord has been picked up.
The vessel, which was from New-York with n
cargo OF general merchandise consigned 10 Will
Jams. Dimond X Co. Of this city. was owned by
Pendleton & Co, Of Ncw-Iork. and was
at Sl2j,O0O There was no Insurance on the hull
in this city but the cargo was insured in several
insurance companes, represented In the california
and the Atlantic Mutual ~ New York. The
amount Of insurance is at present unknown.