Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-04-26
DISASTER DUE TO NEGLECT
CarelesSnesS Caused the Los
Angeles Wreck.
ALSO DISOBEDlENCE OF ORDERS
The Ships Third Officer Held
for Manslaughter.
He Altered tho Ships Course without
Consulting the Captain and Disoboyed
tho Latter's oralers--caring for the Sur
yiyOrs of tho Wreck,

MONTEREY, CAL, April 23.-From
the latest information to be had here it
is to be believed that at least six lives
were lost from the ship Los Angeles,
which struck on the rocks off Point Sur
late Saturday night.
Three bodies have been cast upon the
beach near the light house. These arc
the bodies of Timothy Nolan, fireman
OF the steamer, Fitzgerald, passenger,
and 0 hostler named Saunders from Los
Angeles. The youth who died in one of
the lifcboats from exposure in the water
and while clinging to the rigging, was
tho son of Mrs. Augustus Curtin of Los
Angeles.
1t is also known that S. N. Sheridan,
an aged passenger from Ventura, and u
| Chinese steerage passenger from Los
Angeles were drowned.
| Tho manner of Fireman Nolan's
death was an added terror to the other
occupants of tie lifeboat. The men at
the oars worked the heavy craft almost
into the breakers which pounded upon
the steep, rocky cliffs at the summit of
which is Point Sur lighthouse, but so
dangerous was their position in the
heavy swell that they dared not attempt
Handing below the cliffs.
When they put about and headed out
to sea again, Nolan plunged into the
seq determined to swim TO the rocky
shore. 1t was little less than suicide,
for he drowned in full sight of all in the
boat. 1t is believed that later reports
will reveal still greater loss of life.
The steamer Los Angeles has now
sunk below the surface of the water.
in l,a
insurance upon the vessel or her cargo,
which is estimated to be worth $50000
MONTERREY, Call, April 24.-The
coroner's investigation into the cause of
the wreck of the steamship Los Angeles
at Point Sur, Saturday night, has re-
suited in verdict charging Roger
Ryfkogel, the ships third officer, with
criminal negligence and carelessness. T
He was taken into custody and will be
tried for manslaughter.
The testimony before the coroner's
jury showed that Ryfkogel changed the
ships course without consulting the
captain; doing SO after Captain Leland
had particularly ordered that he be called
from his bunk to direct the steamers
course when the Point Sur light should
be reached. The hidden rocks on which
LlG NesbGl was WItChGu arc SOME QlS- v
tance north of the light.
1t was shown, too, that the night was
clear and the light in full view, though
the accused third officer, in his testi-
mony, argued that the sky was hazy.
He admitted, however, his disregard Of
Captain Leland's orders.
CARING FOR THE SURVIVORS.
MONTERREY, CAL, April 24.-Captain
Leland and other survivors of the
wrecked Los Angeles have been most
kindly cared for by the crew of the
Point Sur lighthouse.
All the passengers are in pitiful con
dition. Many escaped from the steamer
in night garments only and all were
very scantily attired. The suffering
from cold during Saturday night was
intense, as an unusually stiff southwest
wind was blowing.
Five bodies have so far been recov-
cred, four of which were taken dead
from the water. One man died on shore
from injuries received by being tossed
about the wreck The Los Angeles will
be total loss.