The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-12-19
SINKING OF THE ALPHA.
Dashed to Pieces In the Denman
Island PASSAGE

VANCOUVER, B. c., Dec. 1S.-News Of
the worst marine disaster of the season
in British Columbia waters was brought
here by the steamer Car from Union
bay, on the east side Of Vancouver ISL
and. The famous steamer Alpha whose
unauthorized trip to Cape Nome last May
brought her into trouble with the treas
ury department at Washington, was
wrecked on a reef near the entrance to
Union bay, and not a vestige of the
steamer remains. Her managing owner,
the captain, the purser, two engineers,
ed and the rest Of the crew of thirty
two seamen and a stOWaway were drown
four saved by the pluck of an unknown
member of the crew who swan IN raging
sea from the wreck to a lighthouse with
a line around his waist.
Drowned:
Samuel Barboe, Of Vancouver manag-
ing owner.
Capt. F. n. Yorke, Victoria, master.
Engineer Dunn, Victoria.
Second Assistant Engineer Murray, VAN
couver.
H. L. White, purser, Vancouver.
Crosby, able-bodied seaman.
Sullivan, able-bodied seaman
StoWaway, name unknown.
Late details of the laundering Of the
Alpha show that the disaster was primar-
lily duo to taking an unusual course to
the coaltRg station at Union Bay. En-
countering g fierce northeasterly gale
while steaming up the strait, the captain
decided to take what is known as the "in-
side passage up to Union bay, and
steamed inside Denman island rp tina
channel through what is known aus Bay
sound, at the head of which stands Vel.
low island lighthouse on a rocky islet,
about 200 feet across. The light from this
light house Is said to cast Its warning
reflection only towards the north and
east. the recognized navigable channel.
The Alpha steaming up the channel at a
ten knot speed did not perceive the light
and suddenly before a voice of warning
from her lookout was heard she ran her
bow high amidst the rocky roofs sur
rounding the fslet. The wind which had
been increasing in force all afternoon
was now blowing gale. Pluclly seamen,
voted to swim ashore With lines and three
were thus made fast to the island By
means of these some twenty-five MEM
bers of the crew were landed on the small
surface of Yellow Rock, but the cap
tain, engineers and others who were later
| drowned, decided to stand by their YES
sci and endeavor to prevent her from be-
coming a total wreck.
Their efforts resulted only in the sac
rifice of their lives. The gale increased
and fearful seas swept over the vessel
Boats, bridges, pilot houses and masts
were carried away and with them per-
iShed those who stayed by to fight a for
lorn hope. Suddenly the ships side open
| ed and the crew who stood on the wave
| swept islet heard the waves playing on
| the cargo in the vessels hold. The plight
! of the twenty shipwrecked men was not
an -enviable one. The lighthouse keeper.
however, did his best for their comfort,
! and in his small dwelling they found
| shelter. Sunday morning dawned with
peaceful sky overhead, but a long. sullen
swell swept over the wreck and rocks
with an angry swirl. The superficial
! examination Of the wreck showed her to
! be under water at even low tide and be-
yond hope Of repair by her crew. To-
| wards the afternoon a sloop. hove Ia
! sight. and by its aid Chief officer Wilkin-
! abled to reach the mainland at D. m.
! on Sunday evening. They reached Union
Fay Just as a rescue crew, appraised of
the disaster through the wreckage filing
! assistance.