The San Francisco call., 1896-11-24

after a hard struggle, where they lay for
some time unable to move.
The after starboard boat was then
launched, with Second Assistant Engi-
neer Harry Jackson and two others in it.
Before it had gone twenty feet 1t was
thrown over several times and the crew
hurled out. Jackson says 1T was capsized
nine times before he got loose from it.
Three men managed to reach the shore,
and found the others on the beach. Then
they started for assistance.
T. E. Foster, who was acting quarter
master, and was at the wheel, says it had
been blowing a gale ali Saturday after
noon, and the sky became totally obscured
when night came on, and the rain fell in
sheets. No lights were seen in any direc-
ton. He had just been given orders to
change the course one ana half points
as usual after passing the Point Arena
light.
Soon after ''Breakers ahead!" was
shouted by the lookout and the wheel
was put hard over and the bell ring to
back the engines at full speed. but in an
instant she struck, head on. The waves
were high and breaking continually, so
that it looked, when they could be seen,
as though the ship was going right into
the breakers all the time.
As soon as the San Benito struck, he
says, the whistle was blown continuously,
until she broke in two and the steam
pipes were broken. The sea was breaking
over her constantly, and all hands got
into the rigging forward as soon as possi-
bic. The men in the rigging expected
every moment TO be thrown into the
seething sea, as the masts toppled and
snapped and seemed TO be going by the
board with each sea.
Those of the crew who had turned in
rushed on deck when the crash came
without waiting to put on any of their
clothing and they were compelled to
pass twenty-eight hours in that condition.
No personal effects were saved, but it is
believed that the wrecker Whitelaw saved
all the papers, instruments and most of
the valuables in the cabins not dam
aged by water, as that part of the wreck
was least exposed after breaking and
drifting around on the beach.
Owing to the darkness while launching
the boats the survivors who got ashore
made some mistakes in the names OF men
who got into the boats. Michael Pende-
CAST did not start, but remained on the
wreck and was taken off by the steamer
Point Benito's boat.
None of the bodies of the drowned have
been recovered, and it will be some time
before they will float, as the thin clothes
covering them are undoubtedly filed with
sand. Some may never come ashore. 1t
is said one body was seen floating two
miles north of the wreck tonight.
The gallant captains and crews of both
the Point Arena and the Weott cannot be
too highly praised, and all those who
risked their lives in the glorious work OF
trying to succor their suffering brethren
deserve great reward. Those who watched
on the beach and saw everything say they
would not again experience the awful
suspense for any sum OF money.
The wrecking steamer Whitelaw was at
the wreck this afternoon and took a few
valuable articles that were in danger of
being lost, but at 5 P. NJ. she suddenly
whistled for her boats and disappeared in
the heavy rain that came up suddenly.
The lifeboat belonging to the San Benito
was taken by some of the ranchers to-day,
and they went on foraging expedition.
Although the sea was very smooth they
managed to capsize the boat twice and had
narrow escape from drowning.
They finally reached the wreck and re-
ported the storeroom full of valuable pro-
visions and canned goods which could be
saved; but, the steamer Whiteaw coming
up, they got ashore as quickly as possible.
No communication could be had with the
wrecking steamer, so her intentions can
not be learned. II the weather continues
pOod her machinery anchors and chains
will be removed.