The morning call., 1893-10-27

] The tug Fearless succeeded in getting
the treasure shipments and mails on board
and placing them in safe-keeping.
Alto o'clock the Alert came in from the
scene of the wreck, and reported her TO be
/ in a very precarOus condition. The depth
! of water in her hold had not increased TO
any extent, but upon an examination held
as best it could be under the circum-
stances it was found that large rock
penetrates the port plates amidsbiDs, and
will probably hold the steamer fast when
an attempt is made to get her off.
At about 10 80 p NJ several lighters were
towed out from this city by the tugs and
preparations were made TO take out such
of the cargo as could be handled easily.
Great quantities OF -four filled the upper
hold. and a portion of this was thrown
overheard. A large force of stevedores
were detailed to assist in getting the flour
out. for at midnight, the time OF the high
est stage of the tide. was the hour deter
mined upon to make the one great effort to
save the ship. As the midnight hour ap-
preached. however. the question of max
ing the attempt was still in abeyance.
The total loss of the ship and cargo
wodld reach nearly $780, There is no
insurance on the vessel.
Soon after half past o'clock CALL re-
porter visited the wreck. 1t was clear,
moonlight night this side of Alcarraz. but
north of the island and west of the city
and tented upon the Marin hills was the
same dull. chilling fog that lured the City
OF New York to destruction.
Passing from the belt of moonshine into
this veil of uncertainty one could easily
imagine how hand at the helm of big
ocean traveller might err in its manipula-
ton of the tilier ropes. AS Point Bonita
was neared the fog grew thicker and the
light of the lighthouse scarcely made ray
OF brightness in the midst of the profound
darkness of sky and water.
A position within a few hundred yards
of the stranded steamer was reached
almost imperceptibly, but little could be
told of how she lay until the reporters
boat was almost alo ngside. Nebulous-
looking lights danced about in the fog and
marked the spot where the feet of tug
boats were standing by ready to lend a
helping hawser. Voices came out of the
darkness on every hand, and muffled
orders emanated from the big black hulk
Of the City of New York.
But there was no confusion; just a
businesslike state of affairs, in which
every man waited his turn to do that
which he was told with a show of true
maritime discipline.
The Sea King had just left with a load
of passengers, and there were Eot many
more of these. left to be taken ashore.
Several hawsers were over the City of
New York's bow, but there was no strain
upon them. Men were rushing about her
decks, some carrying bundles, others help
ing handle the cargo and some standing
watch.
Captain Johnston had gone ashore, but
was expected back at any moment. Pur-
ser Richardson was not on board and the
subordinate officers, naturally enough, did
not like to comment on the why's and
wherefores of the accident. However,
they spoke freely about their trip from
the Mail dock to the heads and described
their sensation when the steamer struck.
According to their statements it was
about & :35 o'clock when the City of New
York went on the rocks. 1t was very
foggy, and no one seemed to be aware of
their close proximity to the shore until the
the fractional part Of a minute, then a
sharp shock, which seemed to lift the
steamer out of the water and let her down
on her rocky bed with a tremendous jar.
The shouts of the officer on the bridge
were almost drowned in a confusion Of
rumblng sounds and the wash Of break
ers, resisted by the suddenly checked bulk
of the big vessel.
At first there was confusion among the
crew, but Captain Johnston showed admir-
able coolness and gave his orders in clear,
unfalteriDg voice. Order was restored.
except in the Chinese steerage, and there
the widest panic prevailed. 1t was with
great difficulty that the rush of Celestials
! for the boats could be checked. Some even
became bold and determined in their ef-
forts TO frustrate the crews attempt to
keep the boats from being lowered and
swamped.
Order was finally restored, when 1t was
found that the steamer was hard and fast
ashore and could not sink. Captain john
sion and Purser Richardson consulted.
and it was decided to send some one ashore
in boat In the meantime rockets were
sent up and several signal guns fired to
tract attention and help.
A lifeboat was lowered and Purser
Richardson made three unsuccessful ef-
forts to reach shore. but owing to the
rapid drift of the tide he was unable to
make it.
The third officer. one white man and six
Chinese sailors then volunteered to make
another trial and succeeded in getting into
Sausalito.