The San Francisco call., 1896-10-22
Captain Reed Had Guided His
Charge Almost Out of
Danger.
EMPTY BOATS WASHED ASHORE
Bodies of None of the Drowned Re.
covered Eye. Witnesses Tell of
the Disaster.

uidstS projecting lew IeeI ABOVE the
swell at high tide mark the spot where
the steamer Arago lies beneath six
fathoms of water. just beyond the end of
the unfinished jetty at the entrance to
Coos Bay. The vessel has not moved
since it was carried out of its course by
huge biIIow, dashed on to the rocks, and
then lifted again and literally planted on
the crest of the bar. The decks of
the steamer have been swept clear,
and it is evident that the matches are
broken, as a quantity of merchandise
which was stored in the lower hold has
drifted ashore. The beach has been
patrolied all day by the life-saving crew,
but none of the bodies of the drowned has
! been recovered. The impression now OBJ
tains that the disaster was not due to the
negligence or incapacity of the captain or
his officers, all OF whom behaved with
great heroism. No blame attaches to the
members of the life-saving crew. who
acted with promptness and bravery.
The following is corrected list OF those
lost: John Norman, passenger; r. Wal
ters. passenger; J. Sparks, passenger; E.
McGraw, passenger; George Patience, pas
senger; w. E. Brown, chief engineer; r.
Paterson, steward; +. Fernandez, cook; j.
Kruger. sailor; Harry Sander, sailor; Will
liam Whittle, fireman; A. McDade, fire.
man; E. Wall, fireman, and Ben, mess
boy.
Some trunks, valises and cases of butter
and honey have come ashore from the
wreck. The trunks are usually slowed in
the hold, and the finding of them makes
| it certain that the force of the waves has
burst open the matches. The hull is intact.
This proves the stanchness of the ves-
sci. as she has been subjected to terrible
| buffeting Fl ON the eleme nts.
Two of the ships boats, badly smashed,
were found on the beach this morning.
| 1t is thought that one of them was the
boat from which the chief engineer and
crew were lost.
1t was found in the vicinity of where
the unfortunate men were last seen alive,
making brave fight against heavy odds
in the surf to right the boat. The boat COM
ing ashore would suggest that the bodies
would also be thrown on the beach, but
there is strong undertow along this por-
ton Of the coast which carries a body
into deep water, burying the remains in
the sand, never again to be viewed by
friends or relatives in this world. This is
the general rule, and though it is hoped
there will be an exception in this case
previous experience is to the contrary.
In regard to the occurrence of the disas-
| ter few words explanatory of the sunken
jetty would not be amiss. The jetty was
built by sinking piles in the sand ahead of
the work. A track was then constructed
on the piles and rock was dumped from
cars until the embankment was of sutfi-
cient height to make the whole substantial.
As the work was advanced across the
spi. and into deep water near the bar the
jetty was subjected to the full force of the
seas rolling in from the ocean. Especially
was this severe during winter storms, and
while an appropriation was being ex-
pended repairs on the track were con-
stantly necessary.
When the last appropriation was ex-
hausted all work was discontinued, and
the portion in deep water soon showed
evidence of the ravages committed by the
breakers. The piles and track were washed
away for distance of 200 feet, leaving
nothing to show the dangerous embank-
ment of rock hidden from view at all
stages of the tide.
Vessels give 1t as wide berth as pos
sible. but when crossing out, owing to the
trend of the current being south, they are
obliged to hug the jetty as closely as
safety will permit to prevent drifting to-
ward the south spit.
1t was on the end of this surken jetty
that the ill-fated Argo struck.
One eyewitness states that the vessel
was caught by miniature tidal wave,
carried out of her course and dashed her
onto the rock embankment. Another
wave carried her clear off the jetty into
deep water, where she rapidly filled and
sank, going down stern foremost.
A. w. Neal OF Marshfield, who was one
of the first to reach the scene OF the wreck,
states that from the information obtained
from Captain Reed the Arago was steam
ing out over the bar. When she was
abreast of the outer end OF the jetty. the
captain noticed that the swell and current
were setting the steamer on to the jetty.
He Immediately ordered the helm put
starboard, and she was answering her
helm nicely when an immense swell lifted
her stern and set her with terrific forcs
down upon the jetty. Captain Read be-