St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-02-24
A SAILORS STORY.
Thrilling Narrative of a Rescue d
Sailor Man.

Sailor Man.
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 23.-The loss
of lives by the wrecking of the clipper
ship Elizabeth, off North Head, Satur-
day night, is now estimated at nine
teen, including Capt. Henry, of the
local life saving station. Eleven per-
sons, including the wife and children of
Capt. Colcord, of the Elizabeth, were
saved. Charles Barclay, first mate of the
wrecked ship, who with four others sue
ceeded in floating ashore. yesterday said:
The second mate was hurt during the after
noon by being thrown against the capstau
and was unable to move except with great
pain. but he heroically 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 attempted to
succor us, but their tow lines either fell short
Of our decks or were broken like threads.
We drifted to leeward all the time.
ordered lifeboat ready for launch
ing when the snip struck the rock
and then went aft and requested the captain
to come with us. as it was certain death to
remain by the ship any longer, as she was
being pounded to pieces The captain re-
piled: Save yourself, Barclay, I'm crippled,
and will only hamper yOu." | took the cap
tain by the arms and tried to carry Eim for
ward, but the heavy seas washed him from
my grasp. | again got hold of him, assisted
by one of the crew, tremendous seas sweep
ing over the deck. A sailor suddenly ex-
claimed that the captain was dead. When
saw this was the case ] went forward and
found thirteen of the crew had launched the
life boat and were endeavoring to keep near
the ship to render all possible assistance. The
winds and waves soon drove them out of
/. sight. ss,.-
Barclay and eight men remained on
the vessel. The main topgallant mast
went by the board. The mizzen mast
fell with crash, and was soon followed
by the main topmast. The vessel was
raised high on the waves, and fell upon
rocks, where she broke asunder. Bar
clay and four companions struggled
with the waves for long time, but
were finally carried ashore. Three of
the men remained entangled i'll the
wreckage ana were drowned. The
names of those saved with Barclay we're
f. Gregwald, Lewis Murray, Carl Lef
fert and &. Adler, seamen. The life
saving crew, which had made hard
march fourteen miles across the hills,
found them being cared for by Portu-
gueSe ranchers. The boat, containing
thirteen seamen. left the Elizabeth be-
fore she broke up, was overturned by
the waves, and only four of its occu-
pants were saved. The list of sur
vivors, so far as known. comprises
Mrs. Colcord, the captains wife, their
son and daughter, Chief Mate Barclay,
James Taken, wheelman, and six sea-
men. Capt. Colcord, Second Officer
Pendleton, William Redmond and Ed
ward Miles, boatswains; Carpenter
Smith, twelve seamen and the Chinese
cook were drowned. The body of Capt.
Henry, of the life-saving service, who
was washed overheard from the lifeboat,
has been found, and body believed to
be that of Capt. Colcord has been picked
up. The vessel, Which was from New
York with cargo of general merchan-
disc consigned to William S. Dimond Il
Co.. of this city, was owned by Pendle
ton q Co., of New York. and was valued
at about $4,000, The cargo was valued
at S125,O 200. There was no insurance on
the hull in this city, but the cargo was
insured in several insurance companies
represented in California and the At
lantic Mutual OF New York. The
amount of insurance is at present un-
known. Capt. Colcord's family are pros
trated Oh account of his death.