The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-31
SUNKEN REEF
Caused the Disaster to the
Steamer CoIima.
Skurried From Hurricane to Plunge
Into the laws Of Death.

SAN FRANCISCO, May 3l.-Tho Pacific
Mail company has received dispatch
from Manzanilla stating that the Colima
foundered in heavy swell and sunk out
of sight in 10 minutes. Twenty-six people
were saved.
dispatch from Colima, Mex, states
that special messenger from ManZanilla
arrived with Official information for the
governor Of Colimo regarding the disaster.
Seventy-flvo miles below San Bias, q
hurricane was encountered and il was de-
bated as to whether or not the ship should
attempt TO gain partial shelter in the shall
low and treacherous Banderas bay, which
has rocks near Its entrance, or whether 1t
were better to push out to sea.
One local Mexican passenger, Don Ma
tias Moreno, says the report, was about on
the deck and testifies that while eau
tiously steering for what, TO all appear.
ances, was the usual entrance, q slight
tremble was felt TO go through the ship.
II was so faint that IL was hardly appar-
ent 10 the trained senses of tho pilots and
captain. The captain ordered slight
change In the course and gave other direc-
tions, which were obeyed by the officers
and crew. In a few seconds after, the keel
ground on a rock lightly, and there was at
once great excitement among the officers
and crew and fear on the part of the few
passengers on deck. Following the danger
signal, in less than 10 seconds the great
ship crunchod on an unknown reef, and
shudder ran through the hull from stem
to stern.
Passengers Were Panic-stricken.
The passengers sprang from their berths
In terror and ran out on the decks scream.
ing and praying In paroxysm of fear, for
the awful truth seemed TO burst upon
them. The wind howled and dense pail
Of fog hung over the ship as she was tossed
by the surges and began 10 pound herself
to pieces on the rocks. She rose and fell
three times and then crash was heard
This was followed by silence for the space
OF quarter Of n minute during which
time only loud sobbing was heard and
muffled prayers.
Man the boatsl" trumpeted the cap
TAIN after short interval, in which an.
other crash was heard from beneath the
water The boats had previously been
made ready, with all the lifesavers placed
at convenient places, although covered
from the view of nervous passengers.
Within three minutes Of the first crash in
the hun the ship began TO rect from its up.
right balance to settle and TO sink In Its
free hinderpart. The scenes about the life.
boats were indescribable. According TO
all the testimony obtainable, the panic
stricken passengers and the ships crew
struggled for first place, although, TO the
credit of the crew, few of the sailors or
ships people lost their presence of mind,
but gave their main attention to saving
the passengers.
A Frenzied Mothers Act.
There were number of children on the
passenger list and one of these was
pitched overheard into the frothing sea by
u frenzied mother who aimed for one of the
lfeboats still upon the davits. A woman
Of evident wealth and refinement among
the passengers, whose name Is thought TO
be Broslin or Crosslyn, displayed remark.
able presence of mind, and in the most
trying momepts passed among the frenzied
throng exhorting the people To keep quiet
and take particular care of the women and
Some of the passengers, not willing 20 |
await a chance for place in the boats, |
seized the lifcbelts and boldly cast them. |
selves into the sea, to their almost uni |
Versal fate, as they were tossed lifelessly |
upon the waves or dashed against the |
locks, which were easily observed from |
,he fast sinking ship.
The first boat TO be lowered with its |
heavy burden of humanity succeeded in
clearing the ships sides, but was swept
iway by the mighty force and swallowed
'y the night of fog, OF this load only one
II the sailors il known TO have escaped tho
flood which swept over the boat
within five minutes after il was launched.
similar fo.o N-".'i ~ tbo othpr boats
With Ostf