Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-06
THE WRECKED COLlMA
A Supplemental Report From Consul Bat
tie at Acapulco
Five Men Who Were on n Life Raft
Found and Cared for by
the Mexicans.

The acting secretary of state has received
a supplemental report from United States
Consul Battle at Acapulco, Mexico, dated
June u, giving further details in regard to
the survivors of the wrecked steamer CO.
lima. He went to ManZanillo on the 18th
ultimo, he says. for the purpose ofsrelev-
ing the shipwrecked crew from the Ameri-
can schooner Hayes. and fortunately
found the five men who were on life raft
No. from the lost vessel. They landed
safely about sixty miles south of Man
zanillo, after battling with the elements for
four days and three nights without food or
water.
Befrfendcd by IN Austrian Citizen.
They were met on the beach by some of
the natives and given the best attention
their supplies could afford, until they had
recovered sufficiently to be taken to the
ranch of Mr.. W. S. Mcclellan, an Austrian
citizen, who owned place few miles dis
tant. They remained with him two days
and received such good attention that all of
them were able to ride distance of forty
miles by horses over rough mountains to
the railroad, and took train for Colima. On
their arrival there they were taken in
charge by the agent for the Pacific Mail
Company and furnished food. clothes and
money. He made Ii as comfortable for
them as possible, and when they were ready
to go he gave them transportation to Man
zanillo by train. The consul met them there
at hotel and offered his services for any
thing that was needed for their comfort.
There were two passengers W. H. Bryan,
cabin, from Rediands. California, who
had ticket to New York and J. J. Nou-
Wons steerage, travelling on a ticket fur
nished by the government. He was a sea-
man from the U.S.S. Philadelphia, on his
way to Brooklyn navy yard The Pacific
Mail provided them with passage, as they
had lost their checks in the Colima. There
were three seamen by the names of James
Altman, Angel Santa Maria and Jose P-
queras from the same raft. The consul
shipped them by steamer City of Sydney
to San Francisco on consular certificate.
Every Life Accounted For.
He says this accounts for, and disposes
of. every life that. was saved from the
Colima. as they were the last and only
ones left in Mexico.
Il have questioned all of them says the
consul. las to the causes and incidents
that led to the loss of the Colima and all
agree that hurricane Was blowing at the
time. and sea very rough. and that the
Squall and heavy swell came upon them
suddenly and none had time to prepare for
the inevitable.
Some of them declare that in their judg-
ment the deck loads contributed to the
ships capslZing. they feel anything on
deck when the wind is blowing at an un-
usual velocity would endanger the safety
OF the vessel L think this question of
taking cargo on passenger decks is some
thing 10 be seriously considered by cur
government and have the abuse stopped
ii possible.
Kindness of the Mcxfcnns.
THE newspapers have published some
very sensational stories about this sad
affair. which, In some instances, did a
great injustice to the Mexicans along the
coast, for instead of robbing the dead they
have nourished the living and exhibited a
humane and noble feeling that could rot
be surpassed by any people on earth. They
were the first to welcome the ten survivors
that went ashore life RATS, and met
them on the beach hungry and famished
and divided their rations with them as
long as they remained. All honor to those
poor and kind-hearted people.
His eXcellency, Francisco Santa Cruz,
left no stone unturEed to assist and relieve
the distressed people that survived the
Shipwreck. His efforts and deep concern
in the matter have been the subject of IA
vorable comment by all who were in a
position to see and know what he did.
Il am pleased to state that none have
suffered for anything since their rescue
but. on the other hand. We're offered more
than they would accept"