The herald., 1893-10-27
WENT ASHORE IN A FOG.
A Marine Disaster at the
Golden Gate.
The City of New York Aground
at Bonita Point.
She Is High on the Rocks and Will
be Total Loss.
Great ConsternatIon Among the Chinese
Passengers-All Safely Taken
of-Her Valuable Cargo
Jetttsoned.


/ SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 26.-The Pacific
Mail Steamship company's steamer City
Of New York went ashore this evening
in dense fog and will probably be
total loss. She is hard and fast on the
rocks at Point Bonita, with eight feet OF
water in her hold. She sailed for China
and Japan at 80 O'Clock this afternoon
head of steam. The fog was very thick,
and in a few minutes the big steamer
was lost sight Of About O'Clock the
booming OF cannon could be heard and
| signal rockets were seen as they burst
above the fog. At first it wos not known
what vessel was in distress, and it was
thought it might be- the Monowai, due
today from Australia. Later it was as-
certained it was the City OF New York.
The steamer was in command OF Capt.
T. Ii. johnson and in charge of Pilot
| Sevenon. She carried large cargo of
-four aud large passenger list, includ-
| ing 200 Chinese. When the ship struck
the rocks the Chinese in the steerage
set I'D howl and intense confusion
reigned.
The latest advices from the wreck
etate that the steamer went on the rocks
at full speed, and the numerous tugs
which rushed to her assistance could
not pull her off. She has eight feet OF
water in her hold. All the passengers
have been taken off and will be brought
back to the city.
The City OF New York was built ut
Chester, Pa, in 1875, but was prscti-
callY rebuilt few years ago. She was
of 30l9.56 gross tonnage, 339 feet long,
40 feet inches beam and 20 feet
inches depth.
There is very little wind tonight and
tugs will stand by the stranded ship all
night. Should wind come up she will
soon go to pieces. The ship is valued
at $500. .000.
Point Bonita is the rocky promontory
the entrance 20 che el-as-s crzJg, ard 10
regarded as most dangerous by naviga-
tors. Halt dozen vessels have come to
grief on it during the past 12 months
The bark Lurline went ashore there,
and the bark ]. d. Spreckels was barely
saved by steamer. The chip Spinney
broke away from tugs there and went up
the coast where che was wrecked.
The vessel must have got close in
shore in the fog as she was passing out,
and the tide carrying her off her course
threw her on the rocks. Although there
was great confusion among the passen-
gers, the officers and men were very cool
and soon allayed the panic.
The City of New York is q compart-
ment chip, and the latest reports say
there is no water fore and aft, but eight
feet OF water smidships. The water is
un into the fire room. Before the sig
mails OF distress brought assistance from
San Francisco, the passengers were
landed at Point Bonita by the ships
boats and life saving crews from 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 crew Of six Chinese sailors
in small boat, directing them 10 row
to San Francisco for tugs and lighters,
but the crew could make no headway
against the strong tide, and we're swept
back. Another boats crew. in COM
mand OF the purser, was picked up by
tug and brought here.
A reporter just in on tug from the
wreck reports the City of New York
lying with her head to the westward,
broadside upon the rocks. She is lying
over. on the port side and three or four
big holes are stove in her bottom. The
vessel will be total loss. The tide is
receding and she is now high upon the
rocks and the surf is pounding her
There is not much wind, however, or
very little swell. The tugs now hover
ing about the wreck could possibly pull
the steamer from the rocks, but it would
be useless, as it is certain she would go
to the bottom. Though the steamer is
doomed, it is believed che will bold to-
gether until the cargo caa be jettieoned,
unless heavy sea comes on. Her cargo
is canned stuff and general merchandise,
valued at $3.50, 900. She also carried
considerable amount of treasure.
At IL 80 tonight it is reported there is
no hope of saving the wrecked steamer.
She is spiked fast upon the rocks, and |
cannot be moved. In attempting 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 bullion |
and mails were saved.
The New York's merchandise cargo |
was valued at $3.50 900, and she carried
$4,000 of treasure. There were only
two cabin passengers, one boy and the
other the Chinese consul at Havana,
who was returning horne. The ship is
valued at about 100000.
At o'clock this (Friday) morning,
when the tide was at the highest point
six tugs tried vainly to pull the City OF
New York off the rocke. They pulled
and strained but the big ship did not
move. The attempt was given up un-
til daylight, when the New York will be
pumped out with powerful wrecking
pumps. After 200 tons Of the cargo,
mostly -four, had been thrown overheard
tonight, orders were received to leave
the remainder in the vessel.
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