The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-08-22
WRECK OF ISLANDER
Nearly Eighty Lives Known
to Have Been Lost.
THRILLING STORIES OF SURVIVORS.
Alaskan Line steamer struck by m
Iceberg and sinks Almost Imme-
dintciy, Carrying Down Part
of Passengers and Crew.

bI ihsSeuHers ana 'reW'
PORT TOWNSHEND. Wash. Aug
2O-Thc steamer Queen has arrived from
the north. bringing news of one of the
most appalling marine disasters on the
Pacific coast
The steamer Islander sailing from
Skaguay Aug. Il. when nearing the
southwest end Of Douglass island at a.
~ Aug. ~ and running at full speed
struck a floating iceberg and in less than
20 minutes went to the bottom of the
leep channel. carrying men. women and
children t0 "a watrry grave.
The Islander had los passengers, and
all were in bed when the vessel struck.
The shock was 50 severe that many were
thrown from their bcrthS. and the widest
excitement prevailed Word was soon
passed that the vessel was doomed and
general scramble for the lifohpats ensu,d,
many jumping overheard and attempting
10 swim 10 the shore, the distance being
short In the scramble 10 get into the
boats many were hurled hcadlong into the
chilly water, which. according to passrn-
gers arriving from the scene. seemed alive
with human beings. Before all the pas
sengcrs had left the vessel she gave n
lunge and went down bow first.
1t j. known that 90 lives were lost. II
will be some time before their names can
be definitely learned. as the purser lost
his passenger list.
a number Of passengers Of the wrecked
steamer Islander tell OF their thrilling cx-
perienccs during the disaster. NJ Blu
mauer of Portland, who was bringing out
n satchcl containing $4,000 in Klondike
gold. rushed up to the upper deck when
the boat was settling 10y the head, and
Captain FoOte told him there was little
danger. Soon there was a rush for the
boats. and when he was boarding the life
boat hc was afraid 10 throw his satchel
of gold down from the deck into the boat
for fear that the weight of the gold would
rtave hole through the lifcbOat and thus
cause the loss Of the lives Of those in the
boats as well as losing his own chances
Of safety. He concluded to abandon his
gold, and, dropping the satchcl on the
deck. he slid down into the water and
was hauled 20 the boat. thankful TO save
his life. Ono man who had Just come out
from the Klondike and whose name could
rot be learned is reported TO have taken
his portmanteau from the care of the
prrser. Mr.. Bishop. and. with the grip
containing dust amounting to $4,000 in
value graspcd firmly in his hand, jumped
from the sinking steamer to boat close
by; but, failing To reach the boat, he
went down with his treasure.
United States Consul 4. j. Smith. who
was a passenger on the steamer Queen,
saw DIR. Phillips Of Seattle mt juneau.
DIR. Phillips told him that lac had lost his
wife and child. The doctor insisted that
no one called at his room. but he felt the
sudden stoppage and says his wife told
the stoppage was. He demurred at first,
but hearing people moving on deck he got
mp and told his wife to dress Immediately.
When they got from their room, the
steamer was sinking and before they
could jump from the deck his wife and
child We're caught in the suction of the
yentilators and We're drowned.
DIR. Phillips was also drawn into n ven
tilator, but was caught by the head mt
the top and escaped being drawn down
to death. lie went down with the steam
er and caught hold of some wreckage.
from which he was afterward rescued.
When resuscitatcd, he called for his wife
and child and Il man brought the body
of his little girl 70 him.
The death of Captain Foote was very
pathetic. He remained on the bridge
until the steamer was fOundering When
the vessel commenced to sink and it was
seen that no eXpedicnt could avail, the
captain, it is said, jumped into the life
raft, which was already taxed. Realizing
that his weight would work havoc there,
he exclaimed, 81 see there are too many
here, 50 goodby, boys." and swan away.
He was shortly afterward seen to sink
Chief Engineer Brownlee had a mirac-
ulous escape. He was asleep and was
awakened by Third Engineer Allen
ringing his bell. He ran to the engine
room. There two iircmen died like heroes
soon after he arrived. They were or
dered to close the top wheel" and shut
off the water, which was rushing from
the forward part of the vessel.
They tried to do so and were drowned.
Brownlce went down with the steamer
and was standing on the upper deck
holding the top rail when the steamer
slid down by the head. He rose from
the whirlpool and grasped some wreck
age. Or. Phillips Of Seattle came up
after him, and together they clung to the
wreckage until they were picked up.