The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-16
DEATH ON ALASKA'S SHORE
Suffering of the Crew of the
G. G. White Told by a
Survivor.
Drowned While Others Reached
Shore Frozen.

A story full of pathos comes from one Of
the crew of the schooner c. G. White,
which was wrecked on the rockbound
coast of Alaska in April. Telegraphlc de-
scriptions of the sufferings of the crew do
not compare with facts set forth by Will
liam Bail in the following letter:
WooD ISLAND, May 1.
Mr.. Bendt-SIR: thought would drop you
few lines 10 let you know the particulars of
schooner G.. G. White. We were shipwrecked
April ID two miles below Low Cape, Kodiak
Island. 1t happened at 1890 O'Clock in the
morning.
AT that time it was blowing a fearful gale
one OF the strongest northwest gales that ever
blew on this coast-and the schooner was
driven into the breakers. 1t also began TO
snow heavily, and we tried TO make Lazy Har-
Dor for shelter. The tips of nv fingers were
frost-bitten, and all the men suffered from the
cold.
At the time the storm struck us we went
under storm trysail. three-reefed foresail and
storm staysails. When we first struck we were
about 200 yards from the beach, and the break
ers were something tremendous. When the
sea washed over the vessel we all took TO the
rigging. Then she began to break up.
The first TO get drowned was the cook then
a sailor was washed away and lost. After him
went poor old Thompson, the mate, and TO see
for held pitiful.
We stayed in the rigging until 80 that
night, when the tide went down, and one of
1
started TO follow him. but were wet 30 the skin
and benumbed with cold When Henry George
was within fifty feet OF the beach he let go and
was drowned. Captain lsaacsOn reached the
| beach all right, but he so worn out that he
| died from cold and exhaustion five minutes
| after landing.
Long Charley died from the same cause ten
| minutes afterward. No one man could help
| the other. 1t was so bitter cold, and if one of
US stood still or attempted to rest by sitting
down it meant sure death.
l was about the only one left that knew
where we were, SO we started and walked until
matches to make a fire, we dug hole in the
snow and kept close 10 each other to try 10
keep warm. By this time Henry Hanson COM
menced to suffer. Morning came, but it was
blowing too hard to travel, so we stayed where
we were in the snow.
In the afternoon Dan Dover went crazy and
the same night another died from being frozen
The next morning three other sailors and
myself started for South End settlement. On
the way Manuel, the little Spanish fellow was
frozen and died.
When we reached the settlement the natives
started out TO help the others. In the morning
three other men arrived, and later q little
| schooner that was bound for Wood Island
came in. She took us six men aboard and we
started. We were eight days in making lO8
miles. My feet were badly frozen and when
we got there the doctor had his doubts about
saving them. He thinks now he can do So
but it will be four or five months before l can
walk.
Three days ago the balance of the bows got
here after fearful sufferings. They are ali more
or less frozen.
Ed Vorsenet, the cabin-boy was in bad
way and the doctor cut off one of his toes and
two fingers of the left hand. The worst is to
come. Tomorrow the doctor is going to cut off
both OF Henry Hanson's feet. They are too far
gone to save, so poor Henry will be cripple
for life.
cannot tell yet when they will send us
down. We are getting good treatment here
While | think OF it: Ten dead. Seventeen
saved Yours, w. BAIL.
LATER-Henry Hanson has had both feet cut
Off above the ankles. The doctor thinks he
Will pull through. The cabin boy is delrious
more or less, and | am in great pain. ! am to
have all the toes cut off my left foot and have
my right foot cut Oft altogether. WB.
The crew of the c. G. White were
shipped in San Francisco and were old
hands at sealing. The survivors are ex-
pected down by the next Alaska steamer.