The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-12
A MONSTER WAVE.
Swept the Deck of the
POmeranian.
TONS OF GREEN WATER.
Officers and Passengers Hurled From
the Steamer and Carried to
Death in Midocean.
Special to THE MORNING CALL


GREENOCK, Scotland, Feb. 1.-THE Allan
line steamer P0meranian, from Glasgow
for New I 0rk, returned here to-day after a
frlgatful experience. When about 1900
miles out. during heavy storm, everything
above decks was swept away by a huge
wave. which boarded the vessel when no.
body was prepared for it. John Cook and
John Hamilton, second and fourth officers;
James Pritchard and Fred Westbury, stew
ards; Peter Mclean and William Urquhart,
seamen; James and Lillian Gibson, Jane
Caftsry and Johu Stewart, first cabin. and
David Forbes, second cabin. were washed
overheard and drowned. Captain Dalziel
was dashed against the bulwarks and so
severely hurt that he died next day. The
vessel then put about and started back under
command Of the first officer.
The Pomeranlan encountered boister0us
weather Immediately after leaving port. 1t
was thought the wind would soon blow itself
out, but instead OF abating the gale in
creased in severity until the day Of the dis
sster and the 4h of February dawned with
a frightful gale raging and tremendously
high sea running. The matches were bat
tened down aud covered with tarpaulin S,
the yentilators turned to leeward and every
precaution dictated by good seamanship
had been taken to prevent the water get
ting below. Several heavy seas were
shipped, but they did no damage.
Suddenly a tremendous sea reared its
crest short distance ahead Of the steamer
as she plunged down the wave and before
she could rise the sea came over the star
board bow and tons of green water swept
aft Almost at the same time the fall
ing wave astern came aboard. The
result almost deies description. The deck
saloon, chart house, bridge and boats were
smashed to pieces and partly washed over
bOaId. the deck was covered with an almost
inextricable mass Of wreckage and the ut
most confusion regned.
At first the full extent Of the disaster
was not known. The steamer began 10 pay
off before the wi nd and sea. and it was at
once seen that the quartermasters had been
carried overheard. Two sailors sprang to
the wheel and soon put the steamer on her
course, and then it was found that Captain
Dalziel was missing. He was last seen
standing on the lee side Of the steamer aft
OF the saloon in conversation with a saloon
passenger named John Stewart They
were both dashed against the deckhouse
and then carried with terrific force and
jammed beneath the after steam winches.
Captain Da!ziePs legs were broken and he
sustained internal injuries. He was care
fully removed to his room, but he died the
next morning. Stewards legs were also
broken, and he sustained other injuries,
from the effects Of which he died in few
hours.
At the time of the accident Second Off
Ger John Cook was standing on the bridge
with John Hamilton. the fourth officer, and
L =" :. them we're carried overheard and
drowned.
In the saloon deckhouse when the sea
broke over the steamer were James Gibson
and Lillian Gibson Of Dalketh and Jane
Caffery Of Londonderry, all cabin passen-
gers. They were carried over the side and
not afterward seen. David Forbes of Dun
dee. second cabin passenger. and James
Pritchard and Fred Westbury, stewards,
were also lost in the same manner.
When the sea boarded the steamer every
man about the deck who saw 1t coming
grabbed hold OF the stanchions or OF any,
thing else convenient, and it is due to this
fact that the loss Of life was not much
larger. For the time the utmost consterna-
tion prevailed, but this gave way to feel
ing of sadness when it was found that so
many lives had been lost.
With Captain DalZel fatally injured and
unconscious in his cabin, the command OF
the steamer devolved upon the first officer.
When the chartro0m was carried away the
charts. sextants, quadrants and, in fact.
everything essential TO the navigation of
the ship. went with 1t. The binnacle- box
and the compass On the bridge had also
gone overheard, and had it not been that the
after compass remained ii is doubtful If the
steamer would have reached port for many
days yet.
The situation Of affairs was terrible. The
first officer called the remaining officers of
the steamer into consultation, and it was
decided to put about and return to Green
ock This was at once done, and without
any instruments with which to take observa-
tions the voyage had to be made entirely by
dead reckoning and was necessarily slow.
The first officer is highly commended for his
sklllfuI seamanShip In navigating the Pom
eranian under such adverse circumstances.
The scene at the burial Of Captain Dal-
Ziel was one of the saddest ever witnessed
at sea. The crew and passengers stood
silently weeping. During the simple and
mournful ceremony the waves were running
mountain high and all felt that they too
might soon be with the departed captain.
Veteran sailors who were on board the
ship declare that during an experience of
thirty years the storm was the worst they
ever encountered. If the ship had not been
stanch and discipline good they would have
fouDdered. Although the discomfort en-
dured was very great, nobody complained.
but every body looked forward with eager
ness to n safe arrival on land. and all were
too glad to be alive TO complain Of lack Of
accommodations.
The interior of the Pomeranian was
badly damaged and will require extensive
repairs.