Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-08-12
OCEAN STEAMER WRECKED
Sank at the Entrance Of Sitka HarbOP
During a Dense Fog Last Week.
PASSENGERS AND CREW SAVED
Were Cared for by a Minister
and Indians.
VESSEL VALUED AT ABOUT 100000

Associated pross dap itcn by special Wires
Victoria, b. O., Aug. II. = The
steamer Mexico, which was wrecked at
the entrance Of Sitka hubor at o. clock
IN the morning OF August 9th. had been
running at half speed, because Of the
dense fog, until few moments hefure
rock was struck. Pilot Connell then
rang for full steam ahead, and there
after there was a terrible shock On the
starboard eide. So great wGs the mo-
mentum that the ship was carried
through tho reef, which, it is believed.
was the West Devil Rocks. and into the
deep water beyond. Instantly there
was a call of the crew, and without the
slightest confusion the 70 passengers
were eafely placed in the shipboats.
Soon after the vessel struck the heavy
fog cleared, and it was bright and sum
shiny before she went down. There was
no excitement on board. The psssen-
gers and watch below were awakened
by the shock, The alarm was promptly
gwen, and all were quickly dressad and
reassured by the GOODNESS Of the officers,
and awaited their turn to enter the
boats. The vessel was valued at about
500, 900.
San Francisco, CAL, Aug. 11.-A
special from Victoria to the Chronicle
says:
For several days anxious inquiries
have been made regarding the Pacific
Uoast Steamship Co. 3 ship Mexico,
which was scheduled to leave t0.mOr-
row on her second trip to DyOR. When
the vessel struck oil Sitla, as reported
in an earlier dispatch, Capt Wallace
and his officers quietly awaited their
turn to be lowered over the side in
boats. This was performed without a
hitch, splendid discipline being main
taiEed. After the passengers were
safely off the crew turned their atten-
| tion to the hand baggage, which the
passengers had in their cabins, and the
| treasure and valuablea belonging to
| tbe steamer. There was no time to
attempt to save anything slowed below
deck. and everything In the cabins
could not be secured, although the cap
tain aud crew stayed on the steamer
until ii was no longer safe for them to
| do so. They had not been away from
her when abe made Gpal plunge, and
went down stern first. She struck on
her starhoard bilge keel. and Il largo
hols was torn in her side. Only short
time before orders were sent TO the
| engine room to send her under full
steam ahead, and consequently she
went right through the rocks. Had
she been an iron vessel very few would
have lived to tell the story OF the aGci-
dent She would have gone down like
a rock, At New Metakthala they had
to spend several dnys awaiting the ar.
rival of the Topeka. news OF the wreck
| having been sent north to her by
steamer Alki. Tho passengers and crew
| bad their wants attended to by the
Rev. DIR. Duncan md his Indians.
| "Of the 70 passengers. 40 were tour
| lists who made the round trip, and
others were coming south from different
| A laskan ports Included in the lattor
were party Of naturalists, who had
| spent the summer in Western Alaska,
collecting specimens for the Columbian
Museum. Their ophcimens and notes
went down with the steamer.
when she sailed from Seattle tho
Mexico carried 27s passengers, $50 tons
of freight, GS horses and burro."
San Francisco, CAL, Aug, 1.-Two
more steamers left yesterday for the
North, with miners bound for the Klon-
dixie fields. The Farrallon carried a
small number of passengers and a large
quantity of supplies, but expects to
pick up more passengers at Seattle and
other Puget Sound ports en- route to
st. Mlchael's. The Humboldt carried
rs passengers, which number will he
augmented at Seattle by at least 10
others.
Dyea, Alaska, Aug. 4, via Seattle,
Wash, Aug, IL. Tho British steamers
Islander and Gees have arrived with
about 500 prospecturs, which increases
the number of Dyea and Skaguay trails
to fully 800.
Late reports Rtate that the Skaguay
route is open to tho lakes, and that ii
is about is miles long. It is a 2igzag
COURSE over the mountains. and the road
ia very soft There are 200 or 800 head
of HORSES 10 the trail, and they will
soOn tramp out thu road, which ia
already in dsplorable condition. The
probability OF one man 10 ten reaching
the Klondike is remote. Old Alaska
prospec tors. come of whom have win
tered in the Yukon and know what to
expect, are Incoming frightened and
turning hack, not that they fear tine
hardships, but that they are apprehen'
sive of famine, on account Of so many
men rushing hsadlong to the mipet
without enough provisions to last them
two months.
The best evidence that those upon
the ground regard the situation with
more or less alarm is the fact that many
are paying 70 cents per pound to have
freight packed across Dyea Pass. This
is an increase of three cents per pound
since the sailing of Alki, at which time
Ii and II cents we're charged. Without
pack animals Of some description il
seems to be next to impossible ut this
season to got freight and outfits aGrosf
the divide.
| Prince Henry Mt Mnrseiiles.
| Asaoriatel PreSS DispAtch nv Sue;lnl Nirps.