The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-30
DEATH ON THE RIVER.
Narrow Escape of the Steamer
ModoC From Crashing
Into a Bridge.
NO HAND NEAR THE THROTTLE.
Engineer Ward Fell From the Fam
tall and the Steamer Failed to
Slow Down.

The steamer Modoc, plying between here
and Sacramento, had a narrow escape from
destruction last Saturday night. For
sixteen miles she ran along at full speed
without man in charge of the engine, and
only the prompt action of fireman saved
the vessel from dashing into the draw
bridge. just this side of Sacramento.
The Modoc is owned and operated by the
Southern Pacific Company and is one OF
the best known vessels on the bay.
Recently number of changes were made
in the river division, the force in the en-
gineer's department having been cut down.
The Modoc and Leader formerly had three
engineers each, but an economical stroke
on the part of the company cut the stan
down to two. The Modoc left here on Sat
urday afternoon in charge of the chief en-
gineer, who held the throttle until Clarks-
burg was reached. At that place the watch
was changed, the engineer turning IN and
his place being taken by the assistant,
Michael J. Ward. Clarksburg is the last
stopping place on the river, and the
steamer took the channel with clear run
for Sacramento.
All went well until the lights of the
Capital City doomed up through the dark
ness anu Tile mOQOC Was Approaching 44S1
destination. Captain Myrick, the pilot IN
charge, headed the vessel in toward the
shore and rang TO slow down. The head
way was not lessened and the pilot rang
again. The steamer was dangerously near
to the bank and had her course not been
changed she would have smashed into the
levee. Captain Myrick blew into the speak
ing tube. Three shrill whistles shrieked
through the engine-room, but no sound
came back to the pilot-house.
Clang went the bell again and the sound
echoed and reechoed through the lower
portion of the vessel, while the steamer
kept bounding on through the sluggish
waters with the lever of her engine wide
open. The wharf of the Modoc on the levee
was passed and the big draw bridge which
spans the Sacramento doomed up dark
and threatening just ahead and closer and
closer came the heavy mass Ct iron and
old craft was sealed. Captain Myrick
pulled the bell to stop and threw the wheel
hard over. 1t was a dangerous thing to do
but the pilot recognized that there was
about one chance in thousand of saving
the vessel unless a restraining hand was
put on the throttle.
The steamer, still going at high rate of
speed, began to turn, Captain Myrick's
idea being TO send her completely around
anu u6dQ QONu the river CuC IuSI
cleared the bridge when her speed began
to abate and in few moments later the
Modoc came TO full stop.
The pilot almost tainted when the
danger was cleared, for his nerves had
been strung to the highest tension. An
investigation as TO the cause of the nom
response to the bells was instituted and it
was soon learned that Engineer Ward was
missing. A fireman hearing the bells
had run into the engine-room to ascertain
the trouble. He called for Ward, but re-
ceiving no response jumped to the
throttle and shut off steam. When the
boat had come TO a stop a consultation
was held and it was remem bered that the
engineer was last seen going out on the
fantail with his oilcan. Whether he was
struck by the wheel or fell into the river
could be only surmised. A search was
made for him, but up to yesterday no
trace of him could be found.