The San Francisco call., 1898-01-31

. son. George Low, J. W. Charles q . ton. q
 The wreck of the steamer Corona is now somewhat familiar. She went on the rocks Sunday morning, January 23, off the south end of Lewis Island, about one-half the distance to Dyea. The passengers were taken off in small boats and landed on the rough shore of the island where they camped for over four days, until rescued by the Al-Ki on Thursday. No lives were lost. The freight will be almost a total loss while the vessel stands at an angle half submerged, with its bow securely lodged on the rock which wrecked it. Scores of the passengers lost outfits and goods valued at from S100 to $5000.
 The accident which caused the de- struction of property and imperiled the lives of over 300 men, women and chill dren, occurred at dawn. The morning gong had sounded to awaken the pas sengers for breakfast Scores of the men and some women had been obliged to sleep in the saloon and the social hall on the floors, so great was the crush for space. and three tables were necessary to feed the passengers. Both Captain G. H. Pierce and Pilot II. F. -Cauffman were on the bridge, this trip being the latter's first as pilot.
 There was light enough to see the shore on all sides and the rocky point of Lewis Island over the bow. Per haps a hundred men were up, when suddenly. without warning, a terrible shock occurred, followed by a grinding succession of lesser shocks. Those on deck were thrown down by the forcc of the concussion, and those still in bed were tumbled out in confusion and alarm. It took but an instant for all to realize that the ship had struck a rock.
 The ship struck the rock at 7:1C a. m. At 7:45 the first load containing twenty women left the side of the yes sel. A second followed in a few mo- ments, and others were filled rapidly. It was about 600 feet to the rocky shore and 1t took but a few minutes for a boat to make the trip. Meanwhile the steamer was slowly sinking in the stern. Rather the bow seemed to be rising higher out of the water. Ii was low tide when the accident oc- cured. At 10 o'clock the passengers were dll ldIlOcQ anu lI16 DdSSdRe was being brought ashore. Those who looked over toward the doomed vessel saw the stern was deeper in the water than usual and that the list to port was more noticeable than when they left the ship. Hastily the men worked to save baggage, blankets and food, as there was no telling how long they would be obliged to live on the deso- late island. Deeper and deeper the stern of the vessel sank, until at noon, five hours after the unfortunate acci- dent the after cabin disappeared, sub merging about half or two-thirds of the upper work of the steamer.
 The rescued passengers were com pelled to remain four long and weary days on the shore. All felt the bangs of hunger and endured much physical suffering by reason of the unfavorable and severe weather elements. Many distressing incidents occurred during the long wait for relief. Each succeed ing day anxiety increased, while pro- visions were getting so scarce that starvation was feared by many. All Thursday the rocky cliff was thronged with despairing men and women, hop ing to get a glimpse of some boat from the north At. last the Al-KPs smoke was seen far away toward the mouth of the Skeena River. Slowly it drew near and finally came to anchor off the island a mile All the boats belonging to the Corona had been smashed ex- cept one and the Al-Kfs boats were brought into use to convey the passen- gers aboard. While the loading was in progress the Rosalie came along, also the steam scow Nell. Nearly hundred or the passengers and crew stayed on the island in the hope of catching a no Unbound steamer. The AI-K got