The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-24
THE WRECK OF THE ELIzABETH.
Went to Pieces within Cannon shot of

Went to Pieces within Cannon-Shot Of
San Francisco-Nineteen Lives Lost.
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 3--The loss OF lives by
the wreckIng OF the clipper. ship Elizabeth or
North Head, Saturday night, is now estimated
at nineteen. including Captain Henry, Of the
local life-saving station. Eleven persons, in-
cluding the wife and children Of Captain Col
cord, Of the Elizabeth, were saved.
w, Charles Barclay, the first mate OF the
wrecked ship, who, with four others, succeeded
in floating ashore alive yesterday, says that after
the captains family had been placed aboard the
tug Reliance Saturday, every effort was re-
doubled to save the ship from impending doom.
captain Colcord, said the mate, twas badly
hurt during the afternoon by being thrown
against the capstan, and was unable to move
without great pain, but he heroically refused to
be sent ashore, and stoutly protested he was
willing to stay by his ship, come what might.
The angry sea and terrific gale were what the
helpless ship had to encounter, and though
within cannon nshot of the great city, she met
her fate on the jagged rocks on which the COM
bined forces of the elements threw her. Several
tugs came up and attempted to succor US, but
their tow lines either fell short of the decks or
were broken like threads We drifted to the lee
ward all the time. / ordered the fifeboat ready
for launching, when the ship struck the rock.
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 demurred, saying save
yourself, Barclay, am crippled and will only
hamper you.'
Barclay continuing his story said he took the
captain by the arm and started to lead him for
ward, and when q heavy sea washed the latter
and assisted by one of the crew struggled to
proceed through the tremendous seas sweeping
over the deck, when the sailor suddenly ex-
claimed that the captain was dead. When Bar
clay saw this was the case he went forward and
found thirteen OF the crew had launched q life
boat. but were endeavoring to keep near the
q int I'm oil ogeia \ Lt<~n
winds and waves soon drove them out of sight
Barclay and eight men remained on the vessel.
The main top-gallant mast went by the board, the
mizzen mast fell with crash, and soon was fol-
lowed by the fore-top mast. The vessel was
raised high on the waves and fell upon the
rocks, where she broke asunder. Barclay and
for a long time, but finally were carried ashore
Three OF the men remained entangled in the
wreckage and were drowned
The names OF those saved with Barclay are:
F. Greenwood, Lewis Murray, c. Lffert and c.
Ader
The seamen of the life-saving crew which had
hills found them being cared for by Portuguese
ranchers. The boat containing thirteen sea-
men, which left the Elizabeth before she broke
up, was overturned by the waves and but four
The list of survivors, so far as known com.
prises Mrs. Colcord, the caprains wife, their son
and daughter, Chief Mate Barclay, James Taken,
the wheeman, and six seamen. CAPTAIN Col.
cord, Second Officer Pendleton, William Red
mond, and Edward Miles, the boatswain, Car
penter Smith, twelve seamen and the Chinese
cook were drowned.
The body of Captain Henry, of the life-eaviup
service, who was washed overheard from the
life boat. has been found, and a body believed to
be that of Captain Colcord has bsen picked up.
The vessel. which was from New York with
a cargo of general merchandise consigned to
Williams, Dimond l. Co, of this city, was owned
by Pendleton d Co., of New York, and was val
ued at about $4,000. The cargo was valued at
$l25.e0o There was no insurance on the hull in
this city, but the cargb was insured in several
companies represented in California and in the
Atlantic Mutual, of New York The amount Of
insurance az present is unknown
Captain Coleord's family are prostratesl on ac-
count of his death
saturday afternoon the British ship Jessamine
seventy-nine days from New Castle n $ " .
with a cargo of coal, attempted to enter the hay
in the company of the ill-fated ship Elizabeth.
She took a pilot on board, but finding the
entrance dangerous, wore round and nut hack
To Sea. She bumped little on the potafo-pateh
where the Elizabeth struck soon after bur got
of and disappeared in the darkness Trgs
started 70 look for her today and found her
anchored two miles north of Point Reeves 800
yards from shore. She had two anchors ont and
had lost the fore and main topgailant masts, but
otherwise appeared uninjured The tnps cot
hawsers to her and are towing her in She will
arrive before daylight.
LaTgR-At l2:3e high wind is blowing on the
bay and the water is very rough. The vessel ia
believed 10 be anchored somehere Oh the heads
1t is thought there is no chance of her coming
IL tonight