The San Francisco call., 1899-06-10
PLEASURE
TRIP ENDS
IN DEATH
Catamaran Wave Sinks in
the San Joaquin River
Near Stockton.
SOME Loss OF LIFE
Over a Score Of Young Persons
Precipitated Into the Streams
Swift Current.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

STOCKTON, June 10.-News reached
this city shortly after midnight that
the catamaran Wave, bearing a party
of pleasure seekers on a cruise up the
San Joaquin River, had been sunk at
a point about ten miles from the city.
The report created intense excitement,
the first announcement sent by tele
phone from the scene of the disaster be-
ing to the effect that at least half of
the party had lost their lives. Later
reports indicate that most, if not al of
those aboard reached the shore at
points lower down the stream. 1t will
be impossible for several hours to learn
the full extent of the disaster, as there
seems to be a disposition on the part
of the survivors of the wreck to report
as saved each person inquired for by
anxious relatives, this being done to
allay the excitement in this city.
The following were known to be
aboard the catamaran: The three
Misses Martins, daughters Of D. P.
Martin, who are reported drowned,
Ozro Atwood, Marian Walsh, Hazel
Klench, Gertie Lang, Alva Atwood,
Harry White, Samuel Rhodes, Clarence
Hail. Adele Shepherd, Ralph Yardley,
George Folger Herbert Kenyon, Mabel
Kafitz, George Holman, Lloyd Woods,
Hattie Nicewonger. Mabel Ager, Archie
Atwood, Edith Adams, Mrs. Stella K.
Smith (chaperon) Mrs. Carey Nice
wonger, Bessie Walsh, Bertha Martin,
Ethel Martin, Bessie Smith, Golden
Smith.
The Wave capsized in the San Joa
Ga oil chi0OY-Iy fa q
precipitating a score of we'll known
young people into the swift current. At
o'clock the first reports had been con-
siderably modified, but undoubtedly
lives have been lost
The means of communication to the
point of the disaster cannot be obtained
direct, and as a consequence nothing
will be known definitely until parties
now hurrying in launches and car
ria ges to the scene shall have reported.
Clarence Hall, one of the party which
numbered about twenty-five young
people, telephoning to The Call cor
respondent, says that while large
number reached the bank it is impossi-
bic to tell just what proportion of those
saved are of the original party
He described the disaster as one of
the most terrible experiences that could
fall to the lot of a pleasure party.
The pleasure seekers left this city
early last evening, going to the chicory
factory, where they had luncheon.
After spending a pleasant evening they
| boarded the catamaran for the return
trip They had been under way but
few minutes when the catamaran gave
a lurch. and before any one realized
what had happened the boat turned
turtle" and every member was thrown
into the water.
Terrible confusion ensued. It was
very dark and the current was running
swiftly. The river was lined by timber
and it was hard even for good swim
mers to obtain a footing. The current
carried many down the river and their
screams added to the excitement.
For this latter reason it is hard to
tell just who is saved or who is lost,
as many may have got ashore far
ther down the river. The first report
stated that fully twelve were drowned,
but several of these have been account
ed for.
The parents of those in the party
were notified as soon as possible and
they vainly endeavored to get some
word from the scene of disaster Those
at the telephone gave them all the hope
possible, but in some instances it was
qualified. and it may be that the in
tention was to avoid giving the worst
news.
Sheriff Sibley has gone overland with
party of doctors and every available
hack has been pressed into service by
persons hurrying across country. Clar-
ence Hall gave evasive answers when
asked about several members of the
party, and it seemed he did not want
to tell how bad the catastrophe was.
The party was made up of members
of the Club PAllegria and the two
chaperones were Mrs. Stella Smith and
Mrs Carey Neicewonger. The pleas
ure trip had been planned to take
place on the catamaran Wave as far
up the San Joaquin River as Brandt's
Ferry and return. The craft was taken
above the ferry for some distance and
was on the return when the accident
occurred. OF those who were saved
/ there was none who could tell how
| the accident was caused.
The craft seemed to turn partially
over and sink almost in an instant. The
members of the pleasure party or most
| of them were on deck, though it is i'm
possible that all of them were there.
All We're soon in a struggle for life in
the waters.
All those who succeeded in getting
to the shore were cared for by the fam
! lilies of Messrs. Bonoman and Brandt.
The young ladies were kept comfortable
while the young men secured dry cloth
ing and started back for the scene of