The morning call., 1894-04-26
A DEAD ROMANCE.
Memories of the Lost Los
Angeles.
Miss Floods Sailor Sweetheart.
Colonel Harvey Captain
Leland Returns.

Captain Leland of the wrecked steamer
Los Angeles came to town from Monterey
yesterday morning, and for several hours
was closeted in the Office of the Pacific
Coast STEAMSHIP Company with the Off
GERS of that institution.
A CALL reporter requested an interview
with Cap ain Goodall just after Captain
Leland had made his report, but he sent
out word that the testimony given by Le-
land did not differ materially from that
quote at the COroner's vestlgation al
Monterey.
An attempt was made to see Captain
Leland at his residence. 2025 Lincoln street
Berkeley. but the gentleman's wife sad
that an interview could not be obia aimed
as the captain was very much Frustrated
and did not care 10 talk.
1t was rumored late in the day that Mate
Ryfkogle was acting without license. but
the report could not be verified by investi-
gallon and it was too late to ascertain the
truth in the matter from an official source.
Several passengers of the steamer made
q statement to a reporter that an incOm-
petent sailor was continually placed in
charge of the wheel by Captain Leland
and Ryfkogle. but a number of the Los
Angeles crew said that the sailor in ques-
ton was a Quartermaster. which would
wheel and give contradiction to the allie.
CATION that he was Incompetent.
The wreck of the Los Angeles calls TO
the minds of old-timers the accident that
occurred to her while she was in command
of jefferson Davis Howell. who was after
ward lost on the steamer Pacific. the
wreck of which created world wide SEN
sation.
The Los Angeles was on a voyage to
Puget Sound, and SHE'D her propeller off
the Oregon coast.
Howell volunteered to take command of
a boat and Dull into Astoria to secure a
tug. A boats crew was soon got together,
the boat lowered and the brave men start
ed after assistance.
into port, and Howell and his men were
loudly praised for their bravery.
The mention of HowelPs name In con-
nection with the il-tated Pacific reminded
gentleman friend of his OF story that
used 10 be told about him that was never
published by the papers.
Howell was a gallant young officer. al
ways jolly and full of fun. He made any
number of friends, and among these was
Miss Flood, daughter of Millionaire James
Flood
There is no doubt about it." said the
speaker. that Miss Flood was warmly
attached to Howell, and it was generally
CONCEDED In society circles tnat ln6 two
were engaged to be married"
Howelps death was a terrible one.
Together with three sailors he drifted
about on a raft for several days.
Two of the seamen died and then Howell
expired. The deaths were due 10 starva-
ton and want of water. The remaining
seaman was rescued in a dying condition
by one of the relief steamers sent out from
a northern port.
Among San Francisco's well-known men
who had followed the sea for a livelihood
during the early days OF their life was
Colonel William Harney, ex-County Clerk.
and vino was, prior t., his death in rallr" al
| accident at Tehachipi. president of the
Golden Gate Woolen-milis.
Colonel Harvey was at one time purseI
on the old steamer Senator. He had a
special liking for the Los Angeles, which
went to the Pacific Coast Steamship Com
Danv's service after he had given up sea-
faring life.
The colonel once said to a friend: 81
never see that vessel but that it reminds
me OF the Senator. Every time l look at
the Los Angeles l seem to wish myself
back in the steamship business again."
NO one could ever understand why the
colonel had fancy for the ugly little craft.