The morning call., 1891-07-11
IN THE BREAKERS.
A Nicaraguan Bark Runs Upon
the Cliff House Beach.
Saved by the Prompt Arrival Of the Tugs-A
Miraculous Escape-Towed Into Harbor
in Leaking Condition.

Inc city was startled last night, aD0ub
$50 o'clock, by the report that large
square-rigged vessel was ashore on the
beach near tue Golden Gate Life-saving
Station.
The report was sent in to the Merchants
Exchange from the station on Point Lobos.
The tug boat companies were at once noti-
fed and soon half dozen tugs were heading
out Of the harbor as fast as steam could
drive them.
The Reliance of the Spreckels line was
the first boat to get there, closely followed
by the Relief, Rescue and Monarch, with
the rest coming as fast as they could steam
As soon as the wreck was discovered in
the thick fog that prevailed at the time the
crew of the lfe-saving station at once got
their boat ready and went down the beach
on a run.
THE LIFE-BoAT TO THE RESCUE.
There was very little sea on and the brave
fellows soon had the surf-boat in the water
and pulled for the vessel as fast as possible.
She proved to be the Nicaraguan bark Don
Carlos, from Calata Buena for San Fran
cisco, loaded with over 1000 tons OF nitrate,
consigned 10 J. w. Grace & Co.
The vessel had tried to enter the harbor
without pilot, but the captain missed his
Ucdtlle5S NY dUUul Ou6 anu IL uull nllltS anu
the bark ran upon the beach head on. All
sail was set oG the bark at the time, but
fortunately there was very little wind or
more serious consequences might have fol-
lowed.
As soon as the surf-boat got alongside,
preparations were made 20 get out a hawser
to the tugs which could be seen coming to
the vessels assistance. The sails were clewed
up and some Of them furled. The surf-boat
reached the ship about 6:45 o'clock, and
twenty minutes later the Reliance was
ready to take line.
THE RELIANCE TAKES HOLD.
The tug could not get close enough to the
stranded bark to take the hawser, so the
life-Savlng crew volunteered 10 carry it out
and did so successfully. Then the power
tul boat began to pull, but the stranded
ship remained as firm as rock, showing
that more help was needed.
Another line was carried off to the Relief,
and the big ting that has pulled so many
vessels out of danger began to straighten cut
the hawser. Luckily it, was flood tide, and
this was in the vessels favor.
The fog had cleared away by this time,
and fine view was had Of the bark and the
tugs, which were Straining every timber in
their efforts to drag the stranded vessel into
deep water.
The boats of the Merchants and Ship
owners Company were close to the vessel,
but were not needed. The lights from the
tugs III up Inc ocean, aHu from the Deacn IL
seemed as If a fleet were at anchor there,
while away in the distance could be seen
the lights on the Sampson, the vessel doing
light-ship duty over the wrecked Palestine.
MORE AID CALLED FOR.
Captain Hawley, superintendent of the
Spreckels line of tug-bUats. was on the
beach, and shortly before O'Clock sent to
the city for the Active. At o'clock the
Alert ranged alongside the Reliance and
passed her hawser on board, and the three
powerful tugs united their efforts TO drag
the vessel into deep water, but it seemed as
IL their united efforts were unavailng, for
the vessel showed no sign of starting. If
the boats could hold her against the food
tide she would soon float. This the tug
boatmen knew, and they, accordingly, hung
on like bulldogs.
At As o'clock toot was heard from the
Reliance, and then mighty cheer went up
from the little knot OF anxious men on the
beach.
She's off. she's off," was the cry. and
then the bark could be seen slowly moving
out from the breakers, which seemed to roll
higher and break on the sands in wilder
Jury as they saw their prey slipping from
their grasp.
SAVED FROM DESTRUCTION.
Then came emo rus of whistles as all the
boats united in the signal that told those on
the shore the bark was saved. Stern first
the tugs pulled her off the sands, and then
the Reliance. taking line from her bow,
proudly steamed away for the harbor with
the vessel in tow.
In ten minutes the beach was deserted,
except by a few who waited to see the Ii fe-
saving crew coming ashore. In this, how
ever, they were disappointed as the surf
be at remained by the vessel as measure of
precaution until she got inside the Heads
and nearly in to Fort Point. The tug con-
tinued on her way to the city with her tow,
where she arrived shortly before midnight.
CARGO AND INSJTTs
The Don Carlos is owned by Nick Burch-
ard, and the cargo, which is valued at
S50,000 is insured for S45,0
She mad very narrow escape from de-
struction and was only saved by the prompt
aid rendered by the tugs with the fortunate
combination of smooth sea and rising tide
No power on earth cnuld have saved the
bark had there been any sea running.
LEAKING BADLY.
As the vessel was being towed into the
harbor it was found necessary for both the
Relief and Alert to use their powerful
pumps in order to keep her afloat, as she
was leaking badly. She was headed for
Mission flats as soon as possible and run on
the mud. The Alert remained by her all
night pumping in order to keep the water
down. she viii be discharged as soon as
possible and put on the dry-dock
The Don Carlos was built in 1875, at
SeStri. She is 151 feet long, 80 feet bea m
and 20:S deep and has registered tonnage
of 694. She was seveDty-two days out from
Caleta Buena and has 77l4 bags Of nitrate
on board.