The record-union., 1898-01-30
The CoquitIan Ran on the Rocks and a
Ferry Boat Was Sunk.
of the Wrecking of the
Corona Brought Down by the
Danube-A Possibility of Saw
ing the Steamer and Her
Freight and Baggage, Unless
Further Damage to the Vessel
Results From Heavy Seas.

VICTORIA, Jan. 29.-The steamer
Danube, which arrived here early this
morning from Alaska, brought news of
mishaps to three vessels in northern
waters. In addition to the wreck Of the
steamer Corona, already reported, she
brought confirmatory news of the report
that the steamer Coquitlan of Van
couver had run on a rock south of Fort
Wrangel. The Coquitlan was not
floated until a part of her cargo was
jettisoned She remained on the rock
about five hours.
When met by the Danube at Fort
Wrangel the Coquitlan was taking fif-
teen to twenty inches of water an hour.
The pumps We're able to keep the water
down, and the Captain of the Coquit-
lam proposed to continue his trip TO the
mouth of the Stickeen River.
The third accident consisted in the
sinking of the little ferryboat Alaska,
which runs from Fort Wrangel to the
Stickeen River. The Alaska settled
down on some rocks with the falling of
the tide, and several holes We're punched
in her side. She was towed off but sank
in deep water. No lives were lost.
The Captain of the Danube furnishes
of the Corona while on her way to
Skaguay and Dyea with 80 passengers:
Just at daylight on Sunday morning,
when entering the southern end of Ma
lacca passage she struck on a reef which
skirts the shore of Porcher Island, and
which makes mariners keep well over to
Kennedy Island inside.
THE reef is a jagged one, and one of
the sharp projecting rocks pierced the
steamers hull. The steamer was with
in a stones throw of Lewis Island, and
her passengers and crew We're landed,
some passengers taking their tent with
them. With these and sails from the
steamer, a. city Of canvas was soon built
up.
When the Danube passed down the
Corona's passengers We're comfortably
settled, although they were anxiously
awaiting the arrival of the steamer Al
Ki, which will bring them south. The
Corona was two-thirds under water.
and part of her upper works were
washed away when the Danube left.
Captain Myers thought that the first
storm or heavy sea would break her up.
'At the time of the accident Captain
Pierce was on the bridge of the Corona.
THE worst feature of the wreck of the
Corona is the loss suffered by passen-
gers on their way to Alaska. Some or
them had their all invested in outfits,
which was to take them to where they
hoped to make their fortunes"
In his report to Messrs. Rithet & Co.,
local agents of the Pacific Coast Steam
ship Company, Captain Pierce of the
wrecked Corona says:
THE steamer Corona, under my COM
mand, struck on an uncharted reef on
the southeast end of Lewis Island on
Monday morning. She is hard and fast,
stern under water, forehold dry and low
water; passengers and livestock landed,
and made as comfortable as possible
While waiting steamer Al XII, which is
due in about twelve hours. / do not
think the ship is badly damaged, as she
was six hours filing"
THE CORONA MAY BE SAVED.
SEATTLE, Jan. 29.-Later reports
from the wreck of the steamer Corona
indicate that the vessel is not so badly
damaged as at first reported. After she
struck she was six hours in filling, which
would indicate that the damage TO her
bottom was not so great as had been
surmised. Her bow is on the rock, her
stern only being submerged.
1t is now believed unless greater dam
age is sustained through heavy seas. the
vessel can be raised and put again in
commission. 1t is also believed that
her freight and baggage will be saved,
though in a damaged condition.