The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-27
DRIVEN ON THE ROCKS.
Anchor Chains Snapped by
the Force of Wind and
Wave.
ALL ESCAPED TO THE BEACH.
ALarge Cargo Consigned to Alaska
Whaling Stations Was
Destroyed.

PORT TOWNSEND, CAL, Aug. 26.-As
evidence of the terrific fury OF the gales on
the Alaskan coast the bones of the good
brig w. II. Never are now exposed to wind
and wave in a far northern port. The first
intimation of the wreck came through the
captain of the wrecked sealing schooner
Brenda, who brought a rumor to the effect
that the vessel had been wrecked, losing
seven men in a fierce storm at Port Clar-
ence. W. H Wood, passenger arriving
this afternoon via the bark Sonoma from
Port Clarence, confirms the news by par
ticulars of the total loss of the San Fran
cisco brig, although denying the loss of
seven lives with the vessel.
The Meyer, under charter of the United
States Government, left San Francisco
early in the summer, carrying supplies to
whaling stations of the north. The cargo
for Port Clarence had been successfully
discharged and the vessel was ready to
proceed to Cape Prince of Wales, whittier
the remainder was destined, when storm
sprang up. Little attention was paid at
first, but as the gale increased and the
breakers rolled higher and higher, action
was taken to prevent the brig being driven
ashore. Additional anchors were put out,
but to no avail, as the terrible force of the
storm snapped the chains of those which
did not drag.
In an incredibly short time after the
gale began the vessel was piled high on
the beach in plain sight of the settlement
Tie crew stood by nobly, and every sort of
continuance was used in the hope of wear
ing the vessel clear into deep water again.
he cfr11
and at last the conviction forced itself
upon the crew that the vessel was in its
last resting-place.
The brig strained and labored heavily,
and after a brief consultation it was de-
cided necessary for the safety of all to get
ashore, which was accomplished with no
incident beyond thorough drenching
The last boat from the vessel containing
the effects of the men, was overturned by
the breakers and all the luggage lost.
The officers and crew were kindly cared
for by Reindeer Superintendent Kiellman
and missionary teachers. Some days later
the United States cutter Bear, which is
now doing special duty in the Arctic
Ocean, arrived at Port Clarence and took
aboard all the crew with the exception of
Wood, who remained to take passage back
to San Francisco, via the Sonoma, to this
port. The crew, in all probability, will re-
main aboard the Bear until its return south
in October, or else be transferred to one of
the other cutters to Sitka, thence here via
passenger steamer.
The wreck will work great hardships to
other whaling stations, as nearly the entire
cargo Of supplies is a total loss, and it will
be impossible to send another vessel up
until next years ice breaks up, making
navigation possible.
Aboard the Meyer at the time the wreck
occurred were Rev. Mr.. Hannah and wife
missionary teachers, destined for Cape
Prince of Wales. Both with luggage were
taken ashore safely.
In detail the loss of the Meyer CORE
spends with that of the recent wreck of
the ship Raphael in Tanglefoot Bay with
the exception that the crew was saved in
boats instead of by sliding ashore on a life
line. The Meyer and cargo were estimated
to be worth $4,000, and supposed to have
carried an insurance, for few days later
they were sold for the benefit of the under
writer's, being purchased by Captain James
Townsend of the bark J. D. Peters, which
was there at the time carrying a coal sup
price paid for the wreck was $500.
The Meyer was % years old, having been
built in San Francisco in 1859. The man
aging owner was James McKenna, a we'll
known ship-owner. She was always con-
sfdered fine vessel and proved a paying
investment since the first cruise.