The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-11-25
STORY OF A WRECK.
Statement Of the Captain Of The Collier
San Pedro.

VICTORIA (B. c., Nov 24-It has been
decided after survey to attempt to raise
the steamship San Pedro. 1t is said to be
the intention to hold the captain responsible
for her loss
HE story as told by the captain is briefly
as folloKs: The San Pedro, C. II. Hewitt
commanding, had loaded 1000 tons of coal
at Comox for San Francisco, and was pro-
ceeding down under the pilotage OF CaptIin
James Christensen, one of the veterans of
British Columbia, who, up to this date, had
never had an accident. The intention was
to drop the pilot, as usual, about half
mile out, and somewhere between Brotchle
Ledge and Macaulays Point and the ship
was going dead slow, preparatory to stop
ping Tor this purpose. Both the CAPTAIN
and the pilot were on the bridge. The
night was calm and clear and starlit and
the sea was as smooth as a mill-pond. A ship
may pass with safety either inside OF out Of
Brotchie Ledge. The San Pedro was taking
the outer channel, and no one thought of
danger, when at $50 o'clock she bumped,
slid a little, bumped again more heavily
and became stationary. The engines were
reversed as soon as the first shock was felt
but the steamer refused to either back or
swing. The tide was then about half ebb,
and rapidly falling, aud the steamer strik-
board bilge, soon listed to port. After re-
peated whistle signals to let those ashore
know of the steamers distress, one of the
boats was lowered and sent with Pilot Chris
tenson to the outer wharf, where the teie-
phone was made use of to bring the tugs in
port to the golfers assistance. Captain
Salmond of the Wellington, whose ship
owed her salvation to the San Pedro only
lew weeks before, was soon reused, and he
in turn lost no time in getting the steamer
standard and Stt0 fha ,f
the Wellington to the disabled steamer. 1t
was about II o'clock when they reached her,
and the work OF jattisoning the cargo to
tighten the ship was cOmmen ced Her list
was becoming greater as the tide cOntin-
ued to reeede, and her danger increased
every moment. The water by this time
filled the forehoid, but there was mona
IN either the engine-rOom or after compart-
mentS, so the steam-pumps could be kept
going all night. A crew of twenty long
shoremen was also beaten up at midnight
by Captain SalmOrd and they Joined the
men OF the two colliers in dischargng the
PedrO's cargo over the side. During the
night the San Benito from San Francisco
came alongside and her hawsers were
stretched ready to haul the Pedro off at day.
break. Assistance was also obtained from
her Malesty's ship Nymphe, whose divers
went down and found the stem broken for
about twenty feet, large hole about four
feet square under he rfOre-foOt and second
plate torn from the cardboard and starboard
bilge, with rip hands breadth wide ex-
tending aft and underneath the bridge
about thirty feet. The work of tightening
was continued without moments cess 'tion
until $3.50, when, with a sudden lurch, the
steamer filled aft and sank.
TOTAL LOSS.
SEATTLE, Nov. 24-The Post-Intelli-
gencer's special dispatch from Victoria
says: "The San Pedro is still lying in the
same position, but high wind is springi1g
up now and threatens TO send her to de-
struction before daylight. Divers from her
Majesty's ships investigated the wreck
to-day again and report that it is almost nl-
possible to save her, even if the wind keeps