The record-union., 1896-01-13

PORT TOWNSEND (Wash.), jan 10
The British bark Janet Cowan, Cap
tain Thompson, bound from Cape
Town, South Africa, to Vancouver, B.
c., was wrecked on December 31st
last near Carmanah, on the west coast
of Vancouver Island. Directly the ship
struck the rocks Second Mate Howell
and two apprentice lands named Steele
and Logan jumped overheard and per-
ished while endeavoring to reach land,
and the brave skiper, together with
three of his crew, were frozen to death
while endeavoring to find shelter on
the rocky shore.
The Janet Cowan was a Clyde-built
vessel, owned by Shakland & Co, and
valued at $127 600 She left Cape Town
September 18th for Vancouver under
charter to load lumber for a South At
rican port Her voyage was uneventful
until December Both, when she round
ed Cape Flattery and encountered a
heavy gale, which drove her seaward.
A succession of adverse winds forced
the unfortunate ship towards the
dreaded west coast of Vancouver Island
and despite all efforts on the part of the
crew, she struck a reef abaut twelve
the night of December 31st. Directly
the vessel grounded Second Mate How
ell and two of the crew jumped over
board and perished.
AS soon as it became apparent that
the ship was doomed the men set
about to reach the shore, an extremely
difficult task on account of the terri
ble surf Finally, after several at
tempts, a sailor with a rope, and later
on breeehes buoy was rigged up on
which the remainder of the crew
reached the beach in safety. The men
were almost entirely nude and the
weather was bitterly cold.
The landing was effected at the bot
tom of a snow-covered cliff, over the
| top of which lay the only means of es-
cape. A sailor scaled the cliff, and by
means of a rope his companions fol-
| lowed him to the table-land above.
Here telegraph line was found, and
the party divided, one-half following
the wire in either direction.
The little band who faced westward
soon encountered a river, which barred
further progress in that direction. Re-
tracing their steps, they followed the
pole line eastward until they discovered
the bodies of Captain Thompson and
three sailors frozen stiff and almost
covered with snow. Fearing a similar
fate, the famished and half-frozen sea-
men once more headed for their vessel.
On reaching the cliff they found the sea
much calmer, and securing a lifeboat,
which had drifted ashore the deci-
mated party returned to the ship.
While attempting to prevent the
sailors from pilaging the Captains
cabin, the first mate fell through
| hatchway and broke his leg. After
looting the bark Of three months pro-
visions, the men landed on the beach,
where for twelve days they suffered in
the snow until the arrival of the tug
| Tyee yesterday morning. The first
mate and thirteen men were brought to
this city to-day, and are now in charge
of the British Consul. All are more or
less frost-bitten.
The remaining five of the crew were
on the top of the bluff when the resuce
was effected, and either refused to leave
or could not understand the signals
from the tugboat, A rising storm
forced the Tyee to leave them to their
fate, and it is possible they all may
perish from exposure a vessel will be
sent to their relief Immediately.
The fourteen survivors now in Port
Townsend are: First Mate Legnell and
Sailors Hunt, Moran, Smyth, Olsen,
Kerr, Cox, Chamberlain. Cumberliss,
Cousin, Heath, Rosario, Carpenter and
Wilson