New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-12
ALASKAN STEAMER LOSI.
THE MEXICO STRIKES A ROCK AND GOES
TO THE BOTTOM.
r>.crps AND CREW SAVED WITH THEIR
BAGGAGE IN SMALL BoATs-pETAiLS

ssrxcrps AND CREW SAVED WITH THEIR
p.cc.cE IN SMALL BoATs-DETAlIs
OF THE WRECK.
Victoria. B. c.. Aug. 1.-THE steamer Topeka'
,h,ch arrived here last evening. reports that the
steamer Mexico August ., while going INTO
D,xon entrance from Stka. in heavy fos. at fuii
snee6 struck West Devils Rock. After two hours
the steamer sank In Ave hundred feet OF wafer
stern first. The captain exhibited great cooihess
and with the officers did everything that was pos
sible The passengers and crew were saved with
their baggage in small boats. After rowing I'LL
midnight they arrived at Mettlakala. The steamer
struck at o'clock In the morning She Is tota
loss The passengers and crew are on the topeka
The Mexico had been running at halt-speed be-
cause OF the dense fog until few moments before
a rock was struck. Pilot Connell then rang for ruiz
steam ahead and shortly thereafter there was
terrible shock on the starboard side. So great was
the momentum that the ship was carried through
the reef and into the deep water beyond
Instantly there was n call OF the crew and with
out the slightest confusion the seventy-nve pas
sengers on board safely placed In the snip s
boats. Soon after the vessel struck the heavy iog
cleared and 1t was bright and sunshiny before she
went down. There was no excitement on ooaru
The passengers and watch below were awakened py
the shock. The alarm quickly given ana all
hastily dressed and. treasured by the COOL
ness OF the officers, awaited their turn TO enter
the boats. The vessel was valued at about sV'VU
Seattle. Wash, Aug 1.-THE steamer Iopeka
from Alaska, arrived here this morning, bringing
the crew OF the steamer Mexico. which was wrecked
near Stka. Captain Thomas OF the Mexico pre-
ferred to give out extended statement concern
ing loss OF the Mexico pending the investigation
10 be made by Inspector W. j. Bryant. The captain
was in bed when the accident occurred From the
time the steamer struck the rock until she dsap-
neared beneath the water about two hours elapsed
Captain Thomas and Pilot Connell were the last TO
leave the sinking ship The self-control OF the
passengers commended by Captain Thomas
who said there unnecessary excitement the
passengers being aroused and put in boats with
as many OF their personal effects as possible
San Francisco. Aug. IA dispatch from VIC
toria 10 The Chronicle" says:
For several days anxious inquiries have been
made regarding the Pacific Coast Steamship Com
pany's ship Mexico wncn was scheduled 10 leave
here tomorrow on her second trip 10 Dyea When
the vessel struck off Stka reported in an earlier
dispatch Captain Thomas and his officers quietly
awaited their turn 10 be lowered over the sac IN
s0is d dep5 bsns T9Ou' After i the
passengers were safely Of me crew turned theii
sengers had in their ca bins and the treasure and
valuaoes belonging TO the steamer. There was no
deck As il was everything in the cabins could not
be secured aItnousn the caPjaln ana me ClT" Is
for them 10 90 so. They had not bsen away from
Went We down stern hrst She struck on her star
board blge keel and Large hole was TORN in her
q
to the engine-room TO send her under iull steam
ahead and consequently she went right through
the rocks. Had she been an iron vessel very le"
would have lived to tell the story OF the accldent
She would have gone down like rock. ,
AT New-Mettlakala the shipwrecked people had
10 spend several days awaiting the arrival OF IN.
Topeka news of the wreck having been sent nortn
10 her ny the steamer Aiki The Passengers ana
crew had their wants attended 10 by the lie Dr
Dun an and his Indians. OF the seventy,nVe pas,
sen-ers forty were oUTists, who made the iou1d
frin and others coming south from different
Ala skar ports Included in the latter we're party
OF uaturaiists who had spen. the summer IN West
err Alaska collecting specimens for the Columbia
Museum Their specimens and notes went down
Win Inc steamer When she sailed from Seattle
the Mexico carried 97s passengers and some lS tons
Of freight consisting principally Of the outatS OF
Intending miners and carried in addition thereto
six.v-eight horses and one burro. TO be used IN
'..Tbe Mexico was owned and by the Pacific
Coast Steamship Company. and was well known nn
me sound she was built in San Franci:co in ~
Per gross tonnage vas 49, net: $40. she was 20
feet long sc feet beam and had a nominal Morse
power Of 1900