The morning call., 1891-02-24
The British Ship Jessggnene Dis
abled and Driven in Shore.
A FIERCE BATTLE IN TIE STORM,
After Entering The Heads With a Pilot on
Board, The Vessel Puts Back to Sea in the
Face Of a Terrific Gale The T0Dgallant
MaSB BLOWN AWaY-AnCh0red and Res
Cued by Tugs.

Inc BRUSH snip JeSS0mene, Captain
Zeal, which left Newcastle, N. S. W., seven
ty-eight days ago with a cargo of coal con-
signed to Balfour, Guthrie & Co., had a mar
row escape from destruction after sighting
the Golden Gate.
1t was known that the vessel crossed in
close behind the Inflated ship Elizabeth Sat-
urday afternoon. What became of her after
she wore round and put to sea in the face Of
terrific gale was not known until late yes
terday afternoon.
A dispatch was received at the Merchants
Exchange from Point Reyes yesterday morn
ing stating that square-rigged vessel with
fore and main mast gone was flying signals
of distress. Another dispatch stated that
the ship was about two miles south OF Point
Reyes and in dangerous proximity to the
shore. From other sources it was learned
that the vessel was disabled and that there
was possibility of another disastrous
wreck on the Marin County shore.
TUGS TO THE RESCUE.
Soon after the alarming news was re-
celved In this city the tugs Relief and Active
of the Spreckels line and the Sea King and
Wizard of the Merchants and Ship-owners'
Company departed for the scene, which was
some thirty miles north of the Heads. The
liuC was lllcu very StlOUR anu IuG
wind was blowing at the rate OF nearly
forty miles an hour, dead on shore.
FLYING SIGNALS OF DISTRESS.
Captain Peterson of the coasting schooner
Orion, which arrived at 80 o'clock in the
afternoon, reported that he had seen yes
sci near Point Reyes flying signals of dis
tress. The wind was blowing at forty
mile rate" he said. land the sea was
rougher than l had experienced it on this
coast for ten years. We did not get near
enough to make out the vessels name. l
did not care to venture 100 near TO the shore,
as had all l could do to weather the gale
under a very close reef. So we could lend
no assistance to the vessel. We could see
the hulk every now ana then when she
would be lifted on the crest of the waves,
and the next moment she would be out of
sight again in the trough of the sea-"
A MEASURING REPORT.
More cheerful news was received at the
Merchants Exchange about o'clock when
a telegram came from Point Reyes saying
that the vessel in distress was the ship Jes-
anchor. Half an hour later the news came
that the disabled ship had been picked up
by the tugs and was being towed safely
down the coast.
DEFINITE NEWS.
The tug Wizard, which left at 1880
o'clock, returned at o'clock last hight,
bringing definite news in reference to the
Jessomene. When the Wizard arrived
at the point where the ship was
anchored 1t was found that the tugs
Relief and Active had hawsers to her and
she was under control. The Wizard left at
4:3O o'clock, and at that time the last anchor
was being raised on the Jessomone prepara-
tory to the tugs starting with her for this
city.
1.-THE Jessomene." said Captain Randall
of the Wizard, was anchored about two
miles south of Point Reyes and 800 yards
from shore. Soon after my arrival | was III
formed that the services of the Wizard were
not required, and started back. The storm
has moderated, and L think the tugs will
have little difficulty in bringing the ship to
port What / learned from Captain Zeal in
reference to the battle Of his snip with wind
and wave WAS this:
PUT To SEA.
captain Dolliver, the pilot, was taken
aboard outside the Heads Saturday after
noon After the ship passed IN and was
drifting In dangerous proximity to the Pc
tato Patch. he advised the captain 10 veer
round and put to sea. Luckily the advice
was taken or the Jessomeue might have met
the same fate that befell the Elizabeth. The
ship headed out to sea, but the furious gale
that was then raging drove her in toward
Point Reyes. While trying to beat out in
the face Of the storm the fore topsallant
and main t0pgallant maSts were snapped off
and carried overheard. The sea was also
run ming very nigh, and great waves fire.
quently swept the snip from bow to stern.
The ship was not disabled, however, and
the struggle to keep away from the shore
was kept up until II O CLOCK Saturday night
DROPPED THE ANCHORS.
i" BY that time the gale had driven the ship
into a cove south of Point Reyes, and dan
gerously near the rocky shore. AS last re-
sort the anchors were dropped, and after 125
fathomS of chain was let out they held
firmly. Rockets were burned Saturday and
Sunday nights in the hope Of attracting the
attention OF passing vessels. A heavy mist
yelled the coast, however, and this is prob
ably the reason that neither the rockets nor
the other signals of distress were seen.
SUNDAY night the lights of steamer
the JesSomene. Additional rockets were
sent up. but for some unknown reason the
steamers attention was not attra cted. At
least no answer was received to the signals.
WOULD NOT RISK IT.
"Itmay be that the officers on the steamer
saw the signals and did not respond because
they were afraid to venture so near the
shore during the heavy gale that was still
blowing. From what l learned there were
no serious mishapS on board the Jessomene
and the only damage received during the
struggle with the storm was the loss Of the
fore top and main top gallants. When l
danger of being drified ashore and believe
the tugs will arrive with her safely in tow
early IN the morning."
The tug Sea King abandoned the race for
the disabled vessel, and picked up the ship
Alameda, which was lowed safely into port
The Jessomene arrived in port at o'clock
. this morning and was anchored in the
oil.