The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-20
THE PILOTS STORY.
Passengers Thrown Into Panic and
 Behaved Badly.


 Behaved Badly.
 Victoria, B. C., Aug. 19.-Pilot La Blanc. who had charge of the steamer Islander at the time she struck, says: The night was fine, and as we always expect to get ice, sharp lookout was kept. About 2:4s a. m.. the crash came. The boat was under full speed, and no ice was in sight, and there was no fog but the wind was blowing, and 1t was dark and cloudy. The fatal berg was no doubt even with the water. After she struck. stopped the engines. when Captain Foote ap- peared with the night watchman, who reported the ship leaking forward. l told Captain Foote that we would bet ter head for the beach, but he demur- red. and when he decided to do so, the ship was taking water so fast that she would not answer her helm. Then l called the mate and ordered the boats. This was done, and they were lowered with passengers. Many passengers jumped overheard with life preservers on. l jumped overheard and was in the water two hours and a quarter before securing a piece of wreckage."
 The pilot also said that many of the men acted badly, attempting to jump into the boats before they were launch ed. Had 1t not been for this crowding and rushing. he thinks all would have been saved, with the possible exception of those who did not get out of their state rooms, among whom were An drew Keating and his two sons, Arthur tnd Julius, of Los Angeles. The crew, on the other hand, behaved splendidly, and looked to the safety of the passen- gers, After the boats had been launch ed the crew turned their attention to the rafts, but these were also rushed, and after they had been launched some of the crew had to swim for wreekage as there were too many on the rafts. He believes the vessel sank in twenty three fathoms and that the boiler did not explode, but that the woodwork was carried away by the rush of water and air. He thinks forty-two persons were drowned.
 M. Blumaar. of Portland. who was bringing out satchel containing $14, 900 in klondike gold, saved his life but lost his treasure.
 Sam Starten of Winnipeg, dropped a satchel laden with 5000 in gold. and a friend lost his portmanteau with $3.0OO l. ;k ol faIl the story, while one man. who had just come out from the Klondike (his name Is unknown) and with the grip dust amounting to $40,OOO fin value, is said to have jumped from the sinking steamer to a boat close by, and failing to reach the boat. ,J have gone down together with his treasure, to rise no more.
 United States Consul A. l. Smith, who was a passenger on the steamer Queen, saw Dr. Phillips of Seattle, at Juneau. pr. Phillips told him that he had lost his wife and child. Before they could jump from the deck his wife and child were caught in the suction pr the NeHlIldloIS anu NSlS uTOWHSu' Dr.. Phillips went down with the steamer and caught hold of some wreckage, from which he was after ward rescued. When resuscitated he called for his wife and child and a nan brought the body of the little g Il 70 him. He was left at Juneau, re- using to leave until his wifes body | vas found.
 Passengers and members of the crew | ,f the steamer Islander. who have ar lived here. agree that the loss of life | oy Thursdays disaster in Lynn Canal. | will amount to sixty-five. but they ad- | nit that there were probably five or | nora atowaways on the steamer and