The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1901-02-27

still tried 10 pick her way ahead blind
ly. it seemed, until suddenly she ran onto
Miles Rocks. Fifteen minutes later she
rested on the bottom and over 100 souls
had been whisked from this life.
The most prominent passenger on the
Rio was Consul General Rounsovillt
Wildmnn. United States consul to Hong
Kong. who was returning TO this coun'
try. II is now certain that lie and his
family persisted.
Following is the cabin passenger list,
almost complete:
Consul General Rounseyile Wildmdn,
Mrs. Wildman, two children and nurse
from Hong Kong; Mrs. and Miss Wake
field OF Honolulu; James X. Carpenter,
mining engineer, Oakland, Cal; Miss
Rowena Jehu, Honolulu; William Bran
der. London; Mr.. Matheson, Shanghai;
! Captain Hecht German navy; Captain
Holtz, Shanghai; Mr. Dowdell, Shang-
hal; J. +. Seymour, editor OF The Amer
lean, Manila; Mrs. X. West, San Fran
cisco; Miss Lehran, Russell Harper,
journalist, Nagasaki; Mr.. and Mrs. Hart,
Manila; Mrs. Gabriel Hoerou;' DIR. Dodd,
Butte, Mont; Attorney Henshaw, Butte,
Mont. Mr.. and Mrs. Woodwork, DR..
| 0kawahara of Japan.
The Rio de Janeiro was three days
overdue from Hong Kong, via Honolulu,
when she arrived of the Heads Thursday
night, and the dense fog prevailing at the
time induced Pilot Jordan to bring her
to anchor until he could see his way
clear through the gateway.
She laid 10 until about 4:30 o'clock yes
terday morning when the atmosphere
/ cleared and she was started under slow
bell toward Point Bonita.
All went well until $40 o'clock when
she struck. Most of the passengers were
below at the time and il is believed many
Of them were drowned in their berths.
From all accounts it appears that the
officers were cool and gave the necessary
orders with the least possible excitement.
Captain Ward, who was on deck when
the vessel struck. at once gave orders to
the crew on watch to hurry the passen-
| gers TO the forward deck. At the same
| time the Quartermaster on duty sounded
the signal for fire drili. and within five
minutes all the men were at their sta
tions. There was no way Of telling the
extent Of damage to the vessel as she
remained on an even keel for II minutes
I after striking. But Captain Ward, with
| the instinct Of long experience, knew the
gravest danger threatened the 200 souls
in his charge and he gave orders to lower
the lifeboats and life RATS.
There was not much confusion until 10
minutes after striking. the bow Of the
vessel suddenly plunged under water.
rraen there was a wild rush for the boats.
| Two boats had already been lowered aud
others were getting away as rapidly as
the trained discipline Of the crew could
prepare them. A thick fog envelopel
everything, and as yet no sign had come
| from the life saving stations. Darkness
was all about, and with this added horror
the people on the Rio had to cope.
One boat got clear Of the vessel. This
contained the following persons: Mrs.
West, Mrs. Ripley. Chief Engineer Her
lihey. Second Officer Coghlan, Frank
Cramp. ]. Il. Russell. Storekeeper Borg.
Water Tender ID. Lane. Quartermaster
Il. Mathicson and Captain Hocht Of the
German navy.
This boat got clear Of the sinking ves-
sci and then stood by TO help in picking
M those who had no time to get into tho
boats and were in the water.
Another boat containing Third officer
Holland and J. X. Carpenter got away
but was driftcd around close up under
the bow OF the steamer. As the forward
end Of the vessel plunged downward the
Prov caught the small boat and cut it in
two. The two men in the boat were un'
Injured aud swan away from the sinking