The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08

AT THE MERCY OF THE SEA.

VANCOUVER, B. c., Dec. Y. The
sugar-laden bark John CANDLES arrived
from Samarang, Java, to-day, seventeen
days overdue. Its arrival is welcomed by
the entire Pacific Coast, as the bark brings
news OF the missing steamer Strathnevis.
Full details of the sighting of the big
steamer were not learned until this even
ing, as two of the CANDLES sailors were
dying on board from acute beri-berl, one
succumbing during the day. This disease
was thought by the medical officer at this
port to be some horrible contagion, but as
similar case has never come under the
observation of any OF the medical profess
sion here it's exact nature could not be
determined. In spite of the captain of the
bark protesting that the men simply had
berl-beri. which was not contagious,
yellow flag was ordered up and no one
was allowed to board the vessel. This
alarmed the citizens, and threats were
made because the bark did not anchor
in English Bay instead of in Vancouver
harbor. Finally the doctors decided that
the disease was not contagious, and the
dead seaman was buried and the other
taken to hospital.
The John CANDLES has itself had ter
rible experience in the recent heavy
weather. The vessel is storm-scarred
from stem to stern. Much of its upper
works have been washed away during
series of storms, which periodically over
took the bark during the 107 days it has
been fighting the elements. The cargo is
damaged and nearly all the sails are gone.
On the 10Th of last month, according to
Captain Trethon's log, he sighted the
Glasgow steamer Strathnevis. The Strath-
nevis was disabled and drifting with the
wind and tide. The crew of the steamer
was flying distress signals and the bark
signalled to send a spokesman in a small
boat. This was done.
1t was found that during the month pre-
vious the main shaft of the steamer broke
close to the screw when it was blowing 8
half-gale. The Strathnevis had been help
less ever since and unable to get enough
Roadway to steer. It had been drifting
back eastward sixty miles day since the
accident occurred. The steamers captain
was in hopes the present wind would keep
up as the vessel was in the track of steam
ers and fate was waiting it homeward.
There were 159 souls on board all told.
One hundred and fifty of these were Mon
golians, who were complaining because
their rice had run out, but there was plenty
of -four and preserved food. When sighted
the Strathnevis was only about $50 miles
from Cape Flatterv, in latitude 4S deg. 40
min. north and longitude 145 west. It had
almost directly doubled back upon its own
course to the Orient.
Tho 20 nj Din nf tho John Gam hioc cai ia
that steamer should be sent to look up
the Strathnevis at once, as it must have in
the last month since he sighted the
steamer met contrary winds and been
taken far out of the course of steamers,
and its present location would be hard to
determine. When sighted all on board
were well, and the captain and crew were
in good spirits as could be expected under
the circumstances.
When the main shaft first snapped it
was thought the steamer had struck a
rock or sunken wreckage, but after con-
sideration it was decided that the break
was due to some defect in the machinery.
A small screw on board had with great
difficulty been placed in position, but it
was found to be useless.
All the Strathnevis' mail was brought to
Vancouver and transferred to the steamer
Empress of China and will be taken by
that vessel to the Orient, outward bound
on Monday next. The China will, if it
sights the Strathnevis, so says Captain
Archibald, take the 100 Cinnamon aboard
the latter steamer to China.
The steamer Danube will leave to-mor-