The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1901-03-02

can be learned there we're POI people
on board the Rio de Janiero.
The Rio de Janeiro was three days
overdue from Hong Kong, via Homo
lulu, when she arrived of the Heads
in the night. and the dense fog pre-
vailing at the time induced Pilot Jor.
dan to bring her to anchor until he
Could See His Way Clear
through the gateway. She laid to un'
til about 1880 o'clock, when the atmos
phere cleared and she was started
under slow bell toward Pont Bonita
All went we'll until $40 o'clock. when
she struck. Most of the passengers
were below at the time and it is be-
lieved that many of them were
drowned in their berths.
The first news of the disaster
reached here about 1880 a. m. and
soon afterward a boatload Of rescued
passengers and petty officers arrived
at the mail dock.
Tugs were Immediately dispatched
to render any service that might be
needed. but no living persons were
afloat when they reached the wreck
A number of drowning people were
rescued by Italian fishermen, and the
bodies of two white women, three
Chinese and a Japanese were brought
in by the tugs. The search for more
Of the victims has continued all day.
From all accounts it appears that
the officers were cool and gave the
necessary orders with the least pos.
sible excitement. Captain Ward, who
was on deck
When the Vessel Struck,
at once gave orders to the crew on
watch to hurry the passengers onto
the forward deck. At the same time
the quartermaster on duty sounded
the signal for fire drill and within five
minutes all the men were at their sta.
tions. There was no way of telling
the extent of the damage to the YES.
sci. as she remained of an even keel
Tor Is minutes after striking the rock
But Captain Ward, with the instinct
of long experience, knew the gravest
danger threatened the 200 souls in his
charge, and, pacing the deck, he gave
orders to lower away the lifeboats
and liferafts. There was much confu.
sion until Is minutes after striking
when the bow of the vessel suddenly
plunged under water. Then there was
wild rush for the boats. Two boats
had already been lowered and others
were getting away as rapidly as the
trained discipline of~the crew could
prepare them. A thick fog enveloped
everything and as yet no sign had
come from the lifesaving stations.
Darkness was all about and with
this added horror the people on the
Rio, had to cope.
y One Boat Was UnInIured,
One boat got clear Of the vessel
without damage and then stood by to
help in picking up those who had No
time to get into the boats and were in
the water.
Another boat containing Third on.
Ger Holland and J. X. Carpenter got
away, but was drifted 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 uninjured and swan
away. A number of Italian fishermen
who were Just starting out saw the
sinking Of the Rio and at once has.
tened to render every assistance in
their power.
While all this was going on Captain
Ward was directing the passengers
and trying to keep them from panic.
He succeeded only partially, as many
of the terrified people rushed to the
railings and jumped overheard. Some
of these were picked up, others were
drowned. The Chinese crew. to the
number Of over 100. was terrorized.
Some of them huddled in little groups,
chattering in fear. Others crouched
close to the deck, moaning pitifully.
Many jumped into the sea.
Captain Ward remained on deck
until the vessel had settled to such an
extent that the water was engulfing
him. Then he went up on the bridge
and from there continued to issue his
directions.