The record-union., 1893-10-27
Special to the REcoRD-Ux1oN.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 26.-The Pacific
Mail Company's steamer City OF New
York went ashore this evening in a
dense fog, and will probably be a total loss.
She is hard and fast upon the rocks at
Point Bonita, with eight feet of water in
her hold.
She sailed for China and Japan at $3.50
this afternoon and went down the bay
under a full head of steam. The fog was
very thick, and in few minutes the big
steamer was lost sight of. At about D
O'Clock the booming of cannon could be
heard, and signal rockets were seen as
they burst above the fog.
At first it was not known what vessel
was in distress, and it was thought that
it might be the Monowai, due to-day
from Australia. 1t was later ascertained
that it was the City of New York.
The steamer was in command of Cap
tain +. II. Johnson, and in charge of
Pilot Lorenson. She carried large cargo
OF flour and large passenger list, lnclud-
ing 700 Chinese. When the ship struck
the rocks the Chinese in the steerage set
up howl, and intense confusion reigned.
Latest advices from the wreck state
that the steamer went on the rocks at full
speed, and numerous tugs which went to
her assistance could not haul her off. She
has eight feet OF water in the hold. All
the passengers have been taken OFT and
will be brought back to this city.
The City OF New York was built at
Chester, Pa, in 1873, but was practically
rebuilt a few years ago. She was OF
3,0l9.56 gross tonnage, $50 feet long, 80
Il +rAnf ira.al al,ne-
depth.
There is very little wind tonight, and
tugs will stand by the stranded ship all
night Should a wind come up, she will
probably 60 to pieces. The ship was val
ued at half million dollars.
The City OF New York is a compart-
mont ship, and latest reports say there is
no water fore and aft, but eight feet of
water amidShips. The water is up into
tie fireroom. Before the signals OF dis
tress brought assistance from San Fran
cisco the passengers were landed at Point
Bonita by the ships boats and the life
preserving crew from the Golden Gate
and Fort Point Stations. About this time
Captain Johnson decided TO jettison the
cargo and save as much as possible. He
dispatched the third officer and a crew OF
SIX Chinese sailors in small boat, di-
recting them to row to San Francisco for
tugs and lighters, but the crew could
make no headway against the strong tide,
and were swept back. Another boat :
crew in command of the purser was
picked up by a tug and brought here.
Point Bonita is a rocky promontory on
the Marin County side of the bay at the
entrance to the Golden Gate and is re-
garded as most dangerous by navigators
Half dozen vessels have come to grief
OH it during the past twelve months
The bark Lurline went ashore and the
bark J. ID. Spreckels was barely saved by
a steamer The ship Spinney broke
awav from tugs there and went up the
coast, where she was wrecked.
The City of New York must have got
close in shore in the fog as she was pass
ing out and the tide carrying her of her
course threw her on the rocks.
Although there was great confusion
among the passengers, the officers and
men were very cool and soon allayed the
panic.
a reporter just in on tug fromethe
wreck reports the City of New York
living with her head to the westward.
broadside upon the rocks. She is lying
over on the port side, ana three or four
big holes are stove in her bottom. The
vessel will be a total loss. The tide is re-
ceding, and she is now high up on the
rocks, and the surf is pounding in upon
her. There is not much wind, however
and very little swell. Tugs are now
lowering about the wreck, and could
possibly pull the steamer from the rocks,
but it would be useless, as it is certain
she would 60 to the bottom. Though the
steamer is doomed, it is believed she will
hold together until the cargo can be iet-
tisoned, unless a heavy sea comes on.
Her cargo is canned stuff and general
merchandise.
The New York's merchandise cargo
was valued at Sl30,000, and she carried
Sl90C00 of treasure. There were only two
cabin passengers, one boy and the other
a Chinese Consul at Havana who is re-
turning home.
At 1880 tonight it was reported that
there was no hope of saving the wrecked
steamer. She is spiked fast upon the
rocks, and cannot be saved. In attempt
ing to float the vessel much of the cargo
was thrown overheard into the sea, no
effort being made to save it. Thousands
OF sacks of flour were wasted. The mails
and bullion were saved.
VAIN EFFORTS TO FLOAT THE VESSEL
SAN Francisco, Oct. 27.-1:45 a. NAT
l o'clock this friday morning. when
the tide was at its highest point, six tugs
tried vainly 10 pull the City Of New York
of the rocks. They pulled and strained.
but the big ship did not move. The at
tempt was then given up until daylight,
when the New York will be pumped out
by powerful wrecking pumps. After
200 tons OF cargo, mostly flour, have been
thrown overheard, tonight orders have
been received to leave the remainder in
the vessel.