The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-06-09
NEAR TO DEATH.
A Tragic Adventure Off
the FaralIOnes.
Lighthouse-Keeper BeeTan and His
Assistant Capsized in a
Raging Sea.

The United States lighthouse steamer
Madrono. which left port yesterday morn
ing to 90 to San Diego. made an unexpected
return yesterday morning and landed
eight passengers at FOlsom-street wharf
two of whom were in condition we'll
nigh resembling that of shipwrecked sea-
men. The other passengers were three
ladies and and three children. On the re-
turn of the vessel hangs little tale Of
marine adventure. ia which the two for
lorn-loOking passengers were the chief
actors.
When the Madrono left here it was the
inteation of Captain Davis to stop at the
FaralIon Islands and there leave a supply
of provisions and fuel with w. A. Bee
man, who is in charge of the lighthouse on
the rocky cliffs which the sea gulls call
their home. He also had on board Mrs.
George DOwnev of Virginia City, New;
Mrs. G. j. Kane. wife Of the first assistant
at the lighthouse, and her three children,
and Miss Ruth kaueen, who is engaged to
be married TO Z. p. Cashin, the third as
sistant al the lighthouse.
1t was about s o'clock Yesterday morn
ing when the MadronO came to anchor off
the north heads of the Islands. \ very
heavy gale was blowing and the sea was
running unusually high. NOtwithstand-
ing the rough weather though Mr.. Beeman
and his third assistant, Mr.. Cashln, put off
in small boat TO her, with the eXpecta-
ion of boarding her until her goods and
female passengers who were going to re-
| main a the islands could be landed.
They miscalculated the strength OF the
/ sea, however, and before they knew it the
| rough waves were dashlng al! over their
! boat until it was fairly swamped. The
/ two men were pOwerless and were in
| grave danger of finding a watery grave.
| The ladies on the Ma0rOnO shreked as
/ they SAW the danger while Captain DAVIS
and his men undertook 10 save the i'm
periled boatyneu by throwing ropes to
them. Finally they caught the ropes and
were drawn aboard half drowned. The
swamped boat drifted around until it
was caught with a rope and dragged up
! alongside the steamer.
/ Afterwsrd Mr.. Ceshin was lowered
down By d rope and baled the boat out.
! All day the MadrOno hung off and on try
ing 10 make a landing at the Islands, but
could not do so.
Last night she parted with her anchor
! in the strong sea and this morning it was
decided to return to the city and land the
! passengers here where they could await az
/ opportunity of going out on a tug and eff
feeling a landing when the sea would be
calmer Both Beeman and Cashin only
mad overalls aud jumpers on when
they went out in the boat, and
these were pretty well torn in their strug-
/ gle in the waves, which accounted for
their f0rloTn appearance when they land
ed here. Tnev went to the house of J. L..
Bartlett, % Silver street, where they were
cared for by him and his wife, both of
whom are friends of the party.
They will try to 20 out to the islands
to-day on the tug Vigilant, taking their
boat with them. In their absence the
islands are 10 charge of First Assistan t
c. J. Kane and Second Assistant r. II.
! Williams.
The Madrouo sailed for the south yes
terdsy afternoon and will leave her pro-
visions and fuel o. the Farallones on her
/ return trip.
MIR. Beeman says the adventure was
about as close a cali as he ever wants "a
! have.