Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-10-18
MANY LIVES LOST.
The Bokhars Caught in q Typhoon and
Wrscked-Only Twenty-Three Saved.
Tho Steamship Dashed to Pieces on an
Island.

The Bokhara Caught In Typhoon anu
wrscked-Only Twenty-Three Saved.
The Steamship Dashed to Pieces on an
Island.
HoNG KONG, October 17.-Intelligence
has reached here confirming the worst
fears entertained regarding the Peninsular
and Oriental Steam Navigation Company's
steamer Bokhara, reported in these dis
patches Saturday as being several days
overdue at this port from Shanghai
The steamer Bombay and the British
cruiser Porpoise were sent to search for
her, and news has been received that the
Bokhara was found a total wreck on Sand
Island, one of the Pheng-Hoo or Pesca-
dores group lying in the channel OF F'o-
Kien, between the Island Of Formoso and
the Chinese mainland. Only % persons on
board the Bokhara were saved, the lost in
cluding the commander Of the steamer and
the greater part Of her officers and crew.
The number Of passengers she had on
board is not yet known. She carried the
mails and these without doubt are lost.
The steamer was to the westward of
Formosa where typhoons are of frequent
occurrence, and in the comparatively mar
row waterway she did not have safe sea
room. The sea was running tremendously
high and efforts were made TO lay the
about the compass. a popularity of ty-
phoons. this was impossible. Soon ter
rioly high cross sea was running and the
steamer was pitched about like an empty
bottle. Water began TO pour into the tlre
room, and though every effort was made 10
keep 1t out, il began TO gain on the pumps,
which were working at their utmost ca
pacity.
Suddenly above the shrieking of the
wind dull booming was heard, and those
on board knew they were drifting on lee
shore and that the noise they heard was
the sound of the gigantic rollers crashing
upon land. Soon through the binding
rain land was seen, and in a few minutes
the steamer struck. Everybody was or
dered on deck, the passengers had put on
life preservers, but these were OF little
use, las many of the people were swept
overheard and drowned by the seas break
ing over them. 1t was impossible 10 lower
the boats. Those on the windward side Of
the steamer were smashed 10 pieces soon
after she stranded, while those on the lee
side could not be approached because OF
the seas that were sweeping the steamers
deck. All hands huddled under the lee Of
the deckhouses for what little shelter they
afforded, but every time sea surged over
the vessel their number grew less, some OF
IUeIn UdVluR Dtcu CdETlcu away.
The 90 who were saved managed by al
most superhuman efforts to hold until the
storm subsidized. They were taken off in
an exhausted condition. 1t is probable
that all the rescued will be brought TO
Hong Kong tomorrow. The steamer An
Gonna has been sent 10 the wreck. The
postoffice authorities have telegraphed 10
the postmaster nearest the wreck, asking
for the names of those who were saved and
the names Of those lost. A reply is not ex-
pected until tomorrow.
The cargo of the Bokhara was very valu
able. II comprised a large amount Of
specie and large consignment OF silk.
The Bokhara was three masted, iron
screw steamer of 1856 gross tons. She
was built at Greenock in 1873 by Card IL
Co. Her engines, Of 500-horse power, were
Of the compound inverted type
LONDON, October 1.-THE Shanghai cor
respondent of the STANDARD says "The
steamer Bokhara was wrecked on Sand
Island, one of the Pescaderie group. There
were 200 persons on board the vessel at the
time of the disaster, and the widest scene
prevailed as the people struggled to escape
from the angry sea, which seemed raven
Gus for its prey"