davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-11
McSHANE'S VERSION.
His Lips Heretofore Sealed, He
Now Speaks His Mind.

j. S. MCShane, a resident of Berke.
ley, who was a passenger on the San Juan
at the time she rescued several of the sur
vivors of the Colima disaster, made state
ment to a CALL correspondent yesterday
for publication.
He said he had declined all previous in
terviews, but in justice to those concerned
in the recent calamity he would state his
views concerning the cause of the wreck
and what he knew about the treatment OF
the survivors on board the San Juan. He
said:
Il cannot find language strong enough
to express my ideas in relation to the plac-
ing of cargo on the upper deck of pasScn-
ger steamer, and it is my firm belief that
the wreck of the Colima is due to the one
fact of her having been heavily laden
above deck. An endless amount of harm
method. In the first place, even if ves-
sci should notego to the bottom on that
account, the lives of the passengers are
endangered, as light gale is sure to unlash
the stays and permit the load to shift
about the deck; and, again. there is a liza
bility of the cabins being smashed in or
the wheeIhouse destroyed, without which
course.
when l pay for first-class cabin pas
sage it is implied that l am to have free
usage of the passenger deck, but when it
is covered over with cargo am deprived
of that for which pay a high. price.
81 have travelled many thousand miles
by sea, and the San Juan is the first vessel
that | ever took passage on that had cargo
on her main deck On the down trip she
was heavily loaded above deck with lum-
Der, sewer and gas pipe, and if the Colima
was similarly laden, which it is said she
was, do not wonder that she went down
Another matter that ought to be looked
after-and Immediately, tools the lack of
ballast which the vessels of the Pacific
Mail Steamship Company have aboard on
their return trips from ports along the
southern coast. There was hardly enough
cargo on the San Juan to keep her right
side up, and in the gale which took place
about the hour the Colima is supposed to
have sunk | believe the only thing which
saved our lives was the excellent seaman
ship of Captain Pitts.
''If the Colima went down on account of
having been too heavily laden how much
quicker would she have sunk if she had
not enough ballast to keep herself righted !?
We would most certainly have been
wrecked on account of the light load had
the captain not put out to sea and escaped
the storm close to shore.
''In my opinion there is as much dan
ger, if not more, in a vessel too lightly
laden as in vessel with too heavy cargo
on board.
sin relation to the rescue and trans
portation of the survivors picked up off
Manzanillo by the San Juan, l wilt say
that 1 believe all that was possible under
the circumstances was done for their COM
fort. If there was any one among the
number, which / doubt, who did not re-
ceive proper attention from the attendants
it was not the fault of the officers of the
vessel, but of the company for not having
better facilities aboard for the care of the
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-11

have swamped her the way he did, because he
lost his presence of mind in telling the captain
10 stop the Roadway of the ship. /, William
Martin, testify here that ! went TO the purser
and told him that if they did not have suffi-
Gent men forward to man the boat there were
plenty OF them in the Storage perfectly willing
| 10 volunteer, and good men as the Greeks
| to man the boats |, William Martin, have
been in five shipwrecks myself and know what
1t is to be out on the ocean on raft and, there
fore, felt unusual anxiety that the boat
should be manned as soon as possible. Captain
Long was there at the time when l asked to go
as volunteer, with the rest of the crew OF the
steamship Aztec, to man the boats. Captain
Long went to Captain Pitts and the latter said
that he Long could not have the boats. After
a considerable lot of talking and growing
among the passengers about the conduct Of
Captain Pitts he Pitts finally consented to let
Captain j. S. Long have command of the
port quarter boat, and four of the crew of the
Aztec manned the boat. We went out to rescue
man who was alone on a raft, but Captain
Long lost sight of him in the heavy swell at
the time We finally persuaded Captain Long
10 make for the raft that was in sight with five
upon it, and they were duly rescued and
brought on board of the San Juan. We put off
the second time, but rescued no one, because
we were steering for the mates boat all the
time. After that we put off a third time and
rescued the French musician, Roen, while the
Greeks were at breakfast.
Had Captain Pitts sailed twenty-five miles
farther south OF the wreckage he would have
picked up the survivors that were afterward
saved by the Barracuda. Captain Pitts,
think. was too much in hurry to leave the
| scene OF the wreck, between the hours of l and
2 on the 2Sth day OF May, to go to Manzanillo
! because he was seven days behind already He
| should have stayed there until after dark. The
| San Juan arrived at ManZanillo between and
5 o'clock the same day. l, William Martin,
make this further statement that what have
! read in the CALL concerning DR.. Robertson's
| cruel treatment of the survivors of the wreck
| Is perfectly correct. The doctor was drunk
| most of the time during the homeward VOYAGE
and when the rescued passengers first came
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-11
Had Pitts Not Hurried Mr..
Brewers Family Might Have
Been Saved.
SAD STORIES TOLD BY THE
SURVIVORS.
Injured Survivors Allowed to Re.
main for Days With Undressed
Wounds.

The Federal inquiry into the causes that
led to the wreck of the Colima was con-
tinued yesterday afternoon before In
spector of Hulls Talbot and Inspector of
Boilers Phillips in the Appraisers build
ing. Three witnesses were brought forth
by the Pacific Mail Company, and after
their testimony had been heard the COM
mission adjourned till this afternoon.
A new phase of the investigation de-
veloped yesterday which seems to promise
that the United States Government means
TO take hand in the matter in good
earnest. A special agent of the Treasury
has been present at the investigation SO
far, and it is stated that when the present
inquiry is concluded this special agent will
inaugurate one that will take in not only
the Colima, but all other ships of the Pa
citic Mail Company and also the Federal
Inspectors of Hulls and Boilers stationed
at this port.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-11

over the side he gave them brandy, while
staggering drunk himself in order to put
them to sleep, as he said, SO he would not have
10 dress their wounds until later, when he was
in q better condition. Jose A. Soils was actually
three days in the women's steerage without
attention, while the clotted blood from his
wounds remained on his body. l will say in
conclusion that if Captain Pitts had remained
longer we might have saved the family OF Mr..
Brewer, who, have reason to believe, were
floating on portions of the wreckage near that
point. Others might also have been saved be-
tween that time and the time the Barracuda
picked up the remaining survivors.
WILLIAM MARTIN.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 10th
day OF June, A. D. 1895. JAMES NJ. ELLIS,
Notary Public in and for the City and County
OF san Francisco, State of California.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-11
NEW UNIVERSITY WORK,
Apparatus to Test the Mate
rails Used in Civil
Engineering.
Thorough Experiments to Be Made
Upon the Timbers of the
Pacific Coast.

What gives promise of becoming most
useful work of the University of California
has recently been inaugurated by its de-
partment of civil engineering, which has
equipped laboratory with apparatus de-
signed to test specimens OF the various ma
terials used in engineering construction.
The list Of apparatus includes an "Olsen
Universal Testing Machine of 200, 900
pounds capacity Zone of the largest in the
United States, and by far the most power
full on the Pacific COAST, REID" lathe
for turning specimens of timber or metal,
a circular-saw, a bandsaw large planer,
grlndstone, an emery-wheel and Richie
cement testing machine of 1000 pounds
capacity, besides many small tools used in
preparing specimens. measuring. etc.
1t is proposed to add to these other ma
chimes with which to test "road metal"
building-stone and other substances.
A long and thorough series of expert
ments upon the various tim bers of the Pa
cific Coast will be made, with the purpose
in view of bringing forward prominently
their good characteristics and of obtaining
complete and reliable scientific data con-
corning the best use of them in engineer
ing.
ALI tests desired, which are IN the ma
ture of purely scientific experiment, will
be made, free of charge, for engineers, ar
chitects and other persons engaged in con-
struction, upon the delivery of the speci-
men required at the civil engineering
laboratory of the university, and an official
report Of the results of the tests will be
promptly forwarded to the owner of the
materials.
Tests of materials to be disposed of COM
mercia]ly will be made for companies or
persons requesting them upon the paw
ment OF small fee necessary to defray the
expenses of the tests. The same rates will
be charged as in the East
All persons contributing timber, stone
or the metals, according to the directions
accompanying the bulletin, will if de-
sired, be put upon the mailing Iist' of
the laboratory, and will thereby receive
the official reports of all experiments made
by the department. ssz4
Residents of the Pacific Coast. and par
ticularly of the State of California, are
cordially invited to cooperate in making
these tests as extensive and thorough as
possible. w. G. Curtis, assistant to the
general manager of the Southern Pacific
Railroad (on account of the lively interest
which he and his company take in the full
development of the properties and charac-
teristics of the building materials of our
coastl, has kindly agreed to transport
samples for tests to Berkeley.
Those who desire printed blanks setting
forth the various points that must be sub
mitted with specimens should address the
departm ent of civil engineering of the Uni
verslty Of California at Berkeley.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-11
A COURT ON DEFAULTS.
Judge Hunt Refuses to Open a Case
Won by Frank Shay.

Judge Hunt Refuses to Open Case
Won by Frank Shay.
Judge Hunt has denied motion made on
the part of the Chicago Clock Com PAW to
open default in the suit brought against
1t by Attorney Frank Shay on which he OBJ
tanned a judgment for $1,000. In an opinion
Judge Hunt said:
While courts are liberal in opening defaults
which are the result of excusable negligence
or inadvertence, and while in case of doubt the
doubt should be resolved in favor of the mo.
ton, yet where negligence exists and no ex-
cuse therefor is shown the court possesses no
right to set aside such default. In such case it
is not question of discretio but of power
Here Mr. Spence, as president of the COM
pany, knew that the summons In question had
been served on the secretary at some date prior
to the time when he received them. Having
read the papers he was bound to know that a n
answer should have been filed within ten DAYS
after the time OF such service. Without taking
the trouble to ascertain the date of such ser
vice, he allowed the case to go by default; and
1t is now claimed that his negligence in The
premises was such excusable negligence as
would justify the opening of the default. For
his non-action in the premises can ii d no ex.
cuse. His conduct was clearly negligent-a
negligence without palliation.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-11
When did you leave the locality OF The

When did you leave the locality of The
wreck?
After leaving for Manzanillo at l P. NJ. kept
two men ct the masthead on the lookout until
I arrived at Manzanillo at4 o'clock in the after
noon.
How was the weather on the 9th?
Very bad blowing heavy gale; wind south
east, hauling around to southwest and blowing
much harder. 1 was hove to in the gale from
8 A. NJ. to 3 P. NJ. on that day, May q.
How did the barometer read?
1t read S.32 degrees.
How low have you ever read it on this coast?
That was about as low as l ever saw it.
How long have you been on the coast?
Eighteen years next November.
What care was given on the San Juan to the
shipwrecked people?
The best OF care. The charges made in the
newspapers about the treatment OF the people
on the San Juan are not true.
There We're no other witnesses present so
the hearing of further testimony went over
till tomorrow at l :30P NJ.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-11
EYES ON THE MERCURY.
What is the Outloo for an Uncommonly
Hot, Trying Summer.

Last winter was long and severe. Will the
summer in its turn be uncommonly hot and
trying Men ask each other this question as
they gather around the thermometers, and
wonder if the sun is going to break the record.
weather cranks, ike jealous people, are al
ways looking for information that will make
them wretched.
Unfortunately for the great army of stay-at-
MONIES In towns and cities, it is not possible to
ignore the heat altogether. 1t will obtrude it.
SELF on the attention with wearisome persist
ence. But it is possible to keep the body in
state OF active resistance to the health-destroy-
Ing influences of the season. This is done by
anything that keeps up the vital force acts
upon the organs of excretion, so that waste
matter is readily thrown off and generally ex-
erclses soothing, strengthening, benefcent
power.
OF all means devised for this end, Duffy's
Pure Malt Whiskey is the most conspicuously
useful. 1t is kept in thousands of households,
and is particularly valuable in all cases where
vital force is depressed and the system is inert
and forceless. That such circumstances de-
mand notwithstanding 10 act quickly
and thoroughly-has long been the concurrent
testimony OF the best physicians. In the best
sense of shamefully abused word, Duffys
Pure Malt Whiskey is an ideal" stimulant It
is free from fusel oil. 1t is helpful to women
in all conditions of life
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-11
WHY THE COLIMA SANK.
Captain LazzareViCh of This City
Lays the Blame on Her Com
mander.
The following communication has been
received at this office:

The following communication has been
received at this office:
70 the Editor Of the Call-SIR: Much has been
Written about the Colima being overloaded and
badly slowed, which we have every reason to
suppose is true. Was that the cause of her loss?
NO. Had her commander handled her properly
the terrible loss of life which followed her
laundering would have been averted. From
every evidence we have, especially from the
testimony OF the third officer who is sunposeS
10 know more than any of the other of the sur
Vlvors, 1t appears that the Colima encountered
terrlhc gale at 8 A. NJ. of the 9th which in
creased crease IN violence until she took her fatal
plunge about 10 A. NJ. At A. NJ. the captain
knew ne could not keep her head to the seas
S ne ordered more speed to her engines.
the terrible storm that was raging
what did the commander do in this emer.
gency? Did he try any other means to keen
n I2 mead TO the sea? No. He must have known
that his only salvation was in keeping his yes
Sc. out OF the trough of the sea, and II she was
overloaded all the more reason he should do
SO. he simply did nothing. He used none OF
vessels head to the sea- 1888
Any one who has ever been to sea knows thar
ne should have got after sail on his vessel. The
effec} OF a reefed spanker would have kept her
neau 10 the sea. The third officer testifes
tnat she had no sail bent excepting lib,
nave s aso th says forot that al no sail would
THIS was true; let it blow away and bend
another, or get tarpaulin in her rigging.
ana why, In the name of mercy, did he not
use drag, presuming she had one. If not.
one one could have been easily and quickly made.
Inc captain must have lost his head com
PIetely, for cannot think he did not know.
IA Hsd she been loaded safely the result of her
IaiillIng on in the trough of the sea would in
al likelihood have been the same The loss Of
the Colima was due to her falling off in the
trough OF the sea and not to overlooking. The
result would have been the same had she been
safely loaded. Her captain did NOTHING 70
Keep his vessels head to the sea- Had he dis.
played ordinary seamanship you would not
nave had to chronicle this most dreadful
marine disaster on the Pacific Coast,
LOUIS LAZZAREvICH
311 Octavie strea,
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-11

sick and wounded. Every one of thieves
sells belonging to the Pacific Mail Is, so far
as | have been able to observe, deficient in
the supply of proper instruments, medi-
cines and appliances in case of an emer-
gency.
I'm the tossing we received some of DR..
Robertson's medicine bottles were broken
and the contents lost, but whether that
fact was due to his carelesSness in placing
the bottles away or to the lack of proper
facilities for keeping them am unable to
say AID oil ho oo,,s
sufferers, having given up his stateroom to
tie wounded storekeeper of the Colima.
To nv certain knowledge, the physician
did not sleep more than two hours during
the entire time between the rescue of the
survivors and our landing in port at San
Francisco.
Some think that the captain should
have stayed longer than he did in the
vicinity of the wreck and searched for posi-
BILE survivors, but | believe he exercised
proper Judgment in the matter of leaving.
at might have been possible that with a
longer stay more persons would have been
picked up, but the fact that those who
were rescued were found within a
circle half a mile in diameter leads
have been found even if a longer
stay had been made. There is no question
but what the company should be brought
to task for having placed cargo above the
passenger deck of the Colima, for believe
that her loss was due to that fact, and GER
tainly some of the persons aboard must
have been killed from the flying timbers.
as wounds from which her storekeeper is
now suffering we're caused by a loose plank.
am much interested in the outcome of
the investigation as to the causes of the
wreck, now going on, and hope to see
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-11
WILL HEAR OTHERS.

survivors and Passengers Called
for by the Local Inspectors.
The following communication received
yesterday is self-explanatory:
To the Editor Of the CaIE-SIR: Passengers, sur.
vivors OF the Colima disaster, are requested to
appear at the office of the United States Local
Inspector of Steam Vessels No. 81 Apprais-
ers' building, at 80 P. M. of Wednesday. the
Eth inst, or any day thereafter Same hour
lot one week, to testify in the official investi-
CATION pending in the case of the loss OF that
vessel. respectfully, E. S. TALBOT
w. A. PHILLIPS
United States Local Inspectors
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-11

stringent laws enforced governing the load
ing of vessels which take such voyages as
the Colima and San Juan have been accus-
toned to, for without further precaution
along that line we may expect even greater
disasters than the one which has recently
taken place."
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-11
United States Local Inspectors.

CLIFFORD RICHARDSON, official chemist of
Washington, District of Columbia, replv
ing. to an inquiry as to the merits of the
various baking powders, says that he con-
ours with the opinion of the best chemists
of the country that the Royal is the best,
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-11

THE State Chemists of New York, Massa-
chusetts, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana Wis
consin, Minnesota Iowa, Nebraska Geor-
gia, California and othe" States have re-
ported ROYAL Baking Powder purest,
strongest and best
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-11

A little three-year-old girl was taught to
absence of her father with, "and please
watch over my papa"
1T sounded very sweet, but the mothers
amusement may be imagined when the
child added, And you'd better keep an
eye on mamma, too. Philadelphia Call.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-11

ROYAL BAKING POWDER is well known to
be absolutely free from alum, ammonia
and all impurity. Do you feel quite sure
about any other brand? Alum powders
are poisonous. Better use Royal and take
no chances
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-11

Dentist j. j. Leek
Removed to 1906 Market street into com.
plete electrical dental Office.
The record-union., 1895-05-30

SUNDAY excepted. sMonday excepted,
A-For morning. P-For afternoon
RICHARD GRAY, Gen. Traffic Manager
I. b. GOODMAN, Gen. Passenger Agent.
THE JUDSON EXCURSION sIsr 1Sl al ,ss point: Int:
cars and managers through to Chicago and
Boston. Call on G. j. ELLIS. Agent s. p. Co.,
Sacramento. or address JUDSON & CO., 10
Montgomery street, San Francisco.
The record-union., 1895-05-30

Firkin, 25c; California Cheese, 121.c; Young
America, lac; Eastern Creamery, zoe: Linn
burger, 20c; genuine Swiss, 35c; American,
2oc; Martins Cream, 15c; Neufchatel 1oc,
each.
EGGS-CaIifornia, 15c.
POULTRY-Turkeys- Hens and Cob
lers, lac p %: dressed, 16c; Chickens Hens,
60c each, Sc so per dozen; Boosters 55c each
So 90 q dozen: Broilers, soc each. So dozen:
Tame Ducks, 75c each, 81 so e dozen; Geese,
SO so p pair.
VEGErABLES-Oni &c q D; Bunch
Vegetables. 12Hc; Horse Radish, 1Oc fr;
New Garlic, Sc 2 D: Artichokes. SOC p dozen;
Dried Peppers, SOC 2 b; Caulifower, 1Oc
each; Spinach sc p 70; Asparagus, &c p b.;
Green Peppers. 15c: Potatoes, local. 5O@60c;
Nevada Potatoes. 114c; New Potatoes, l1Sc = D.:
Green Peas, &c q b; Cucumbers, 75c y dozen;
String Beans &C p b; Summer Squash, sc;
Wax Beans, &c; Lettuce 8 for sc.
MEATS-Beet-Prime Rib Roast, l215@l SC;
Loin Steak. 121a@15c; Rump Steak. 1Oc:
Chuck Roast 10c; Rump. SC; Brisket, Sc;
Chuck Steak, 1oc: Veal-Loin and Rib
Chops. i sc; Roast Veal 12c. Mutton-Leg,
11@121ac; Loin and Rib Chops. 121zc; Nut
ton Stew, Sc; Shoulder Chops, SC; Pork
Roast and Chops, / &c; Corned Pork, DC;
Sausage. 121ac; Vienna Sausage, 15c; Ba-
con. 14@1 sc: Ham, 10000.
HAY AND GRAIN-Oat Hay, 65@70e p
cwt; Wheat 65@70c: second quality, 55@
65c; Alfalfa, new. first cutting, soc; old, third
cutting. 6Oc; Whole Barley. soc: Ground
Barley. 81; Feed Oats 81 1901 80; Mid
dlings. soc; Bran, zoe; Straw, 65@7oc.
The record-union., 1895-05-30
COMMERCIAL.
Weather Ruled the Grain Market at
Chicago Yesterday.
Wheat Active With Prices FIuctuating
Rapidly In the San Fran.
cisco Market.
CHICAGO, May 29th.

CHICAGO, May 29th.
The weather ruled the grain markets TO-
day. Wheat opened with bulge OF 172e =
bushel and for about an hour 1t looked as II
IL had gone up to stay. About the end of the
time, however, the signal service prediction
took hand in the game, and threw Its ln1u-
ence with the bears. 1t predicted generally
showery weather for the winter Wheat oelt'
and this being a holiday. the longs thought IL
well to anticipate the probable effect OF a heai-
ing rain upon the wounded Wheat plant.
They turned it down from around SIC Tor
July to So1ac. but this was not the lowest
point of the day. 1t recovered to S1ssc ana
then broke to SOAc. 1t recovered from so74c
TO SIG again, before it once more remem-
bered that it was still subject to the possibiil-
ties attending rainy holiday.
Following are the closing quotations: May,
1890; July, sO2se; September, sO15c.
AT NEW YORK.
NEW YORK, May goth.
Wheat was lower to-day. Following are the
closing quotations: May, S15sc; June. SIG;
July, 8214c; August, S374c; september, S32sc;
December, S5Lc.