The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-02-23
Loss Of Over One Hundred and Twenty LIVES 100000 in Treasure
and Cargo Worth Half Million
CONSUL. GENERAL TO HONG KONG AND FAMILY AMONG Los
Vessel Struck During Minutes Pot
Bsme Captain Who People on Board
0uy Eighty Being Mostly BY Fishermen Steamer Was
Valued at 100000 Top SmOksstaek Visible Above Surface

thur. Storage watehman: Ed. Burwick.
watchman; Mrs. Dorman, stewarde5s
The cargo of the Rio d. Janeiro was
valued AT over $500 900. There was. be-
sides. 100000 in the specie tank. The
steamer was valued at from 800 900 to
500 900.
The Rio dc Janeiro was three days
overdue from Hong Kong via Homo
lulu when she arrived of the heads
last nisa; Owing 10 the density Of
The fog prevailing at the ums Pilot
Jordan ihtTnded to bring her to anchor
until h. could see bis way clear through
the gateway. She laid to until about
$50 O'Clock when the atmosphere clear
ed and she was started under slow
bell towar1 Point Bonita. All went well
until $40, when she struck. Most of
the passengers were below at the time.
and II Is believed many Of them were
drowned In their berths
Thr first news Of the disaster reached
here at 1880 o'clock this morning and
soon afterwards boatload Of rescued
passengers and petty officers arrived
a, the Mail dock.
Tugs were Immediately dispatched to
render any service that might be need
ed but no living persons were anoat
when thsy reached the wreck A num-
her Of drowling people were rescued by
Italian fishermen.
From all accounts II appears tha, the
officers were cool and gave the neces-
slry orders with the least possible ex-
citement. Captain Ward. who was on
deck when the vessel struck. at once
gave orders 10 the crew on watch to
hustle the passengers on to the for
ward deck. At the same time the quar-
tcrmaster on duty sounded the signal
for the fire irill and within five min
ut@s all Of The men were at their sta
tions.
There WAS no way OF telling the ex-
tent OF the iamage to the vessel as she
remained on an even keel for FIVE min
utes after striking the rock. But Cap
tain Ward knew that the gravest dan
ger threatened 200 souls in his charge.
and gave orders to lower away the life
boats and life RATS.
There was not much confusion un-
ill., fifteen minutes after striking. the
bow cf the vessel suddenly plunged un-
der the water Then there was wild
rush for the boats. Two boats had
already been lowered and others We're
getting away as rapidly as the trained
discipline " the crew could prepare
them.
One boat got clear OF the sinking YES
sci and then stood by TO help in pick
ing up those who had no time to get
into the boats and were in the water.
Another ooat containing Third officer
Holland and J. X. Carpenter got away.
hut drifted around close up under the
bow of the steamer. As the forward
end Of the vessel plunged down the
prov caught the small boat and cut
ii In two. The men in the boat were
Unnjured and swan away from the
sinking steamer just In time to avoid
being carried down in the swirl of the
water Carpenter was picked up by an
ather boat II is supposed that Hol-
land perished,
While all this was going on Captain
Ward was directing ia passengers and |
trying to keep them from panic He !
succeeded only partly as many of the /
terrified people rushed to the ratings |
and Jumped overheard Some of these
were picked up, others were drowned. /
The Chinese crew to the number of
over hundred, were terrorized. Some |
of them huddled in little groups. chat
tering in fear. Others crouched close to
the deck moaning pitirully. Many OF
them Jumped into the sea.
CAPTAIN Ward stayed on deck until
the vessel had settled to such an ex-
tent that the water was engulfing him,
then he went up on the bridge and
frcm there continued to issue his di-