New-York tribune., 1896-01-13
STFFERTNGS or SAILORS.
WRECK OF THE BRITISH BARK JANET
COWAN-sEVEN LIVES LOST.

Port r Towneend. Wash. Jan l2-The British
bark Janet Cowan Captain Thompson bound
from cape Town. South Africa. to Vancouver.
g. c. was wrecked on December II last near
Carmanah on the west coast Of Vancouver Isl
and The second mate ana two sailors jumped
overheard when the vessel struck upon the rocks
and were drowned. and the brave old skipper and
three ~ his We're frozen 20 death while en-
deavoring to find shelter on the rocky shore. The
Janet Cowan was n Clvdc-hullt vessel. owned by
Shacklc & Goa and was valued AT sl27,0)o. She
left Cape Town September II for Vancouver. un-
der charter = load lumber or South African
port Her voyage was uneventful until p"cem-
Der 20 when she rounded cape Flaitery and en-
countered a heavy gale. which drove her sea-
ward succession of adverse winds forced the
unfortunate ship toward the dreaded west coast
OF Vancouver Island. and desplt, all efo-is e.i
the mar. o., the crew she struck rcef about
twelve miles east q Carnanah Lighthouse on the
night II December 81.
Directly the vessel grounded Second Mate
Howell and two of the crew Jumped overheard
and pcrlshcd. As soon as Il became apparent
that the ship was doomed the men set ahou, e.
reach the shorc-an extremely difficult task. on
account ~ the terrible SURF. Finally. after sew
cral attempts. sailor named Chamberlain
succeeded in swimming ashore with rope. and
later on "A hreeches buoy figg.t. upon
which tho reminder Of tho crew reached the
shore ia safety. Tn"y Were almost entirely
nude and badly frozen. The landils was cl-
footed at the bottom Of snow-coVcred cliff.
over thD top of which lay the only means ~
cscapa. sailor scaled the cliff and 10y means
Of a rope his companions followed him 10 the
tahlcland ahoy- Here telegraph line was
found. and the party divided. half following
the wire in either direction.
The littl- band who faced westward soon en-
couutercd a river which barred further prog
rcss in that direction. In r"tfacing their stops.
they followed the line east ward until they DIS
covered the bodies OF Captain Thompson and
three sailors frozen stN and almost covered
with snow Fearing a similar fate. III" fam
ieied and half frozen soamon once more headed
for their ya-sel. ON r'achingth" clin they found
thr ga much calmcr and securing lifeboat
which had drifted ashore. the decimated party
returned 10 the ship while attempting 10 IRE
vent sailors from pillagiug the captains cabin.
the nrst mai. fell through hatchway and
broke his l,g.
After taking from the bark three months pro-
Visions the men landed on the beach. where for
twelve days they suffered I'm the snow until the
arrival of the tug Tye, yesterday morning. The
first mate and ten men were brought to this city
today. and ar" now in charge Of the British
Consul. All are or less frozen. Tn" re-
naming five Of the crew were ON the top Of the
bluff when the rescue effected. and either re-
fused 10 leave or could not understand the sig
mails from the tugboat. 4 rising storm forced the
Tyee 10 leave them to their fate and IL Is pos
sblc that all may perish from exposure. YES
sci Will be sent 10 their relief Immediately.