The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-27
A Mistake in interpreting a
Signal Caused the Fatal
Collision.
DISCIPLINE WAS MAINTAINED.
Many of Those Who Refused to
Leave the Sinking Vessels
Seized by Sharks.

nav ANA, OUbAf -SpL' Z1'-1 lS lOliOM-
ing are the particulars of the accident off
El Moro, Cuba, on Wednesday, when the
Spanish warship Sanchez Barcaiztegui
sank:
The Sanchez Rarcaiztegui left the bay of
Havana with Admiral Manuel Delgado y
Parej0 and his staff. He was about TO
make circular cruise around the island.
She cleared from her moorings at 1:3O
O'Clock on Wednesday night, steering for
the narrow channel leading TO the open
sea. She was under easy steam or half
speed, when the lookout noticed red and
white light on the signal station at the en-
trance to the harbor, indicating that
steamer was standing in for the entrance
OF the canal or channel. She was steam
ing in from the northeast end of the
island. She was only two cable lengths
away 600 feet). Instantly Captain Ibanez
of the Sanchez Barcaiztegui ordered the
helm to starboard, thus steering in to his
right and close in on Ell Moro, leaving
ample room for the incoming steamer to
pass on his port side. He duly an
nounced his course by single blast of the
whistle, that being the signal under the
international code. Both ships were rap
idly nearing each other bow to bow.
Captain Ibanez's signal failing to elicit
an instant reply he repeated the single
blast, but as less than the usual time in
terval elapsed between the two the incom-
ing steamer, the Mortera, interpreted it as
one signal of two blasts, indicating the
port helm. She answered by two whistles
and changed her course.
This made the collision inevitable. They
kept bow on to each other. Captain
Ibanez, realizing the great and instant
peril, gave the order for full speed astern
and ordered his wheel hard over to meet
the new and unexpected condition of
things. This necessitated thirty-four
turns of the wheel and involved loss of
very valuable time. During this critical
moment, when the fate of the ship was in
the balance, a fireman stumbled against
the electric wires supplying light and dis
placed them and in an instant total dark
ness enveloped the ship. The side lights
on the bridge and forward the usual red
and green lights were supplied by the
electric current. Momentarily the Nor
terra lost sight of her in the darkness.
Under such circumstances the ship was
doomed In vain did the captain of the
Mortera order his ship full speed astern.
two iron steamers came together with
dreadful blow and crash. It was minutes
past II when they struck. Even in the
face of instant death full and perfect dis
cipline was maintained on board the San
chez Barcaiztegui. With the stoical
heroism of the Spanish sailor, Captain
ibanez gave orders to clear away and lower
the boats. Lieutenant Ricardo Garcia Junco
was on duty forward and he knew that an
immense hole had been knocked in near
the bow plates. The forecastle was full of
water. 1t continued to pour into the ship
and she com menced TO sink by the head.
Lieutenant Junco recognizing the danger
instantly reported to the admiral as follows:
Admiral, in five minutes the ship will go
down"
The admiral advanced in years and in
poor health, in quiet, self-possesse6 tone
of voice. replied: Report what you have
said to me to your captain and add that he
may take any precautions he deems
necessary"
Obeying this order, Lieutenant Junco
reported to the captain, who issued his
final orders. Previously Captain 1banez
had ordered the loading and firing of
cannon as signal for help, but time did
not permit. All boats were floated. Lieu
tenant Garcia's orders were loud and clear
and were heard on the Mortera. She had
backed off.
Then followed remarkable scene. The
rough-and-ready sailors entered into a
o contest of generosity and heroic self
denial. II will wait for the last boat-I
have no one to mourn me- said one. An
other cry was heard, "You that have
wives and children get into the boats
The brave fellows refused to be first
The same spirit actuated all officers and
men alike. They were cool and self
possessed The captain and his officers
surrounded the venerable admiral on the
bridge. The latter insisted on being the
last to leave the ship.
Admiral said Lieutenant Junco, "if
your Excellency wishes, you can be low
cred to a boat" which he declined, say
ing: Thanks, my son. although aged [
can help myself" Then the admiral ad-
dressed the crew: "Haste men, let all save
themselves.
The ship was sinking under them into
the deep waters of El Moro. Almost by
force the admiral was placed in boat.
Lieutenant Garcia Junco still remained on
board, when a general cry went up that
the ship was sinking. The third boat, con-
tanning the admiral, was still alongside,
when an effort was made to clear her.
When but few yards away the gallant
ship gave final lurch and disappeared
amid a sea OF foam. The suction caused
by the sinking of SO large a ship drew
everything near by, including the boat
containing the admiral. who, With all the
crew, were lost. Scenes at such moments
are simply indescribable. The surface of
the water was studded with heads strug-
Cling in the waves sweeping in from the
Atlantic.
The air was filled with shrieks, prayers
and cries-fearfuI heartrending cries
some shouting farewell to mothers, wives