The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-18

stormy weather this distance is materially
decreased. In the letter referred to above
he gives a graphic description of the sink
ing OF the steamer and subsequent rescue
of ten people who foated to shore on rats.
Among other things, Mr.. Mcclellan says !:
AS near as can recall now it was about 8
o'clock in the morning when the Colima went
down. got up early, and found that during
the night storm had blown up. The wind
was blowing at pretty stiff rate, though L
have seen it worse, while the rain was coming
down in torrents. Away off in the distance
observed smoke, and of course knew at once
that it came from steamer.
l went for my glass, and, catching the proper
focus saw the Colima probably fifteen miles
out, and apparently laboring heavily. The
rain was so intense that was forced to go in
doors. Later, when returned, there was not
q particle OF smoke TO be seen, and as for the
vessel she had entirely disappeared. OF course
knew at once that she had gone down, though
at the time was unaware OF the TACT that it
was the Colima
Forty-eight hours later a raft came ashore
bearing on its uncertain surface five ragged,
wretched and half-starVed people. Two days
after this, or four days from the time the
Colima went down, another raft Dearing five
people drifted in. They told most pitiful
story OF the hardships they had encountered
and of the incessant struggle for life. For four
days and nights they were without bread or
water, and a more wretched-looking set never
saw. OF those who foated in shore at my
place were three cabin passengers, four steer
age and three of the crew. At first it was re-
ported that five had landed here, but the right
number is ten.
mr.. Mcclellan does not give the names of
the rescued passengers and crew.]
| am told by one of the passengers that Pro-
lessor Whiting, wife and one child were stand
ing on the deck when a flying spar struck Mrs
Whiting and child and knocked them over
board. Whiting got on the raft with the first
five that came ashore, but for want of strength
was unable to retain his hold. Three times
the raft turned over, dislodging the people on
it, and it was on the last turn that Whiting
to regain the raft, though they all tell pitiful
story of their struggles in the water.
From the story told by the people here, l
think the disaster was all brought about by
Captain Taylor. Certain it is that he made
no attempt whatever to save the lives of his
passengers. The rescued passengers tell me
that the coverings were not even taken off the
boats and further that the passengers were
not notified of the danger until five minutes
before the Colima went down. The freight
ports could not be closed on account of the
immense cargo of lumber and other merchan-
disc. The water rushed through these port
holes, and in few moments put out the fires
in the engine-room. Then the Colima was
practically at the mercy OF the waves | learn
that feeble attempt was made to hoist sail,
though there was such confusion then that it
was practically useless to attempt to do any
thing.
The passengers endeavored to take down the
life-preservers, but the mates forced them to
put them back. One OF the men here picked
upa preserver, and he was peremptorily or
dered to put it back where he had found it.
All the women and children were on deck Just
before the Colima went down, though many
were washed off by the rushing waters ana
knocked off by the flying spars before the final
end came.
l am keeping the ten men here at the ex-
pense of the Mexican Government, though /
would have been just as willing to have kept
them free. The President telegraphed me to
give them every care and attention and the
Government would pay for it.