The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-03-21
CHAPTER XIV

That was a woefnl night on the fog
shrouded Paciic.N In less than ten min
utes from the moment of the crash the
Idaho's stern was lifted high, then down
she dived for her final berth, untold
fatlloms underneath, her steadfast cap
tain standing to his post till the last
soul left the doomed and deserted wreck
1t was Gods mercy that limited the
passenger list to mere dozen in the
first cabin and less than 90 in the sec
ond. The boat, with all the women,
was pushed off from the side, the first
officer taking charge. Through the fog
they could dimly see the others lowered.
then manned and laden. Discipline had
been restored. Water and bread and
blankets had been hastily passed to the
longboat The purser had found time
te~diye into his safe ant, to load up with
gisome at least of the valuable contents
There was even a faint cheer when the
steamer took the final plunge.
Huddled together, many of the WON
en- were weeping. all were pale with
dread, but Loring and the ships officer
babe them be of good cheer Even if
they were not found by the Santiago
they were but few miles from shore
The sea, though rolling heavily, was
not dangerous. They were sure of max
ing land by morning. But there were
women who could not be comforted
Their husbands or brothers were in the
two smaller boats, perhaps padding
about in the darkness in vain search for
the steamer that cut them down. For
awhile there were answering shouts
across the heaving waters Then for
half an hour the boat with the second
officer, crammed with male passengers
and members OF tho crew, kept close
alongside-too close for some of the
FORMER scrambled into the bigger craft
and others tried to follow, SO close that
its young commander could mutter to
his mate:
g'The captains boat is even fuller
than mine. Can't you take off half
dozen:''
But the first officer shook his head.
If the worst comes, they got life
preservers and can SWIM" said he.
These women would be helpless, ex-
cept for what we can do for 'em''
For time they shouted in hopes Of
being heard aboard the Santiago, but
only those who have tried it know that
it is matter of merest luck when q
steamer rounding to in fog succeeds in
finding or even coming anywhere near
the spot where she was in collision not
ten minutes before.
Tho Gonf;ooo3o oo-to;,, e-1.o
that, though badly damaged and COM
PEELED to put back to San Francisco, for
three mortal hours they cruised about
the scene setting off rockets. firing
guns, sounding the whistle. listening
intently with lowered boats, but never
heard sound from the wreck, never
until two days after knew the fate of
the vessel they had cut down.
At last the first officer, fearful for his
precious freight, babe his four oarsmen
to pull for shore, his little pocket COM
pass pointing the way. At dawn they
heard the signals of steamer through
the dripping mist and raised their voices
in a prolonged shout An hour more
and they were lifted, numb and wea-
ried, but, oh, SO thankful, to the deck of
coaster creeping up from Wilmington
and Santa Barbara, and were comforted
with chocolate and coffee, while for
long, long hours the steamer cruised
up and down, to and fro, seeking for
their companions and never desisting
until again the pail of night spread over
the leaden sea.
Late the following morning the fog
rolled back before the waking breeze, and
the Broderick steamed hopefully ON for
the Golden Gate. and by nightfall was
moored at her accustomed dock, there
to be met by the tidings that while the
second officer managed to beach his
boat in safety, the captains overloaded
craft was swamped in the breakers of
Point Pinos. and that brave old Turn