Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-02-28
STEAMER WRECKED.
The Rio De Janeiro Runs on
Rock in the Golden Gate.
IANY PEOPLE FIND A WATERY GRAVE


"A Dense Fog Prevailed at the Time
Of the Disaster : The Chiness
Crew Terror Stricken.
San Francisco, Feb. 23.-The Pacific
mail steamer Rio de Janeiro ran on y
hidden rock while entering the Golden
Gate early yesterday morning. 1t is
thought that 12s persons were
drowned, most Of whom were Chinese
and Japanese, but 1t is impossible to
ascertain the exact number owing to
the fact that Purser John Rooney,
who had the passenger list and ros-
ter Of the crew, is among the missing
At five o'clock yesterday afternoon
ten bodies had been recovered, two
white women, one white man and
seven Chinese. The most prominent
passenger on the steamer was Rounse-
vile Wildman, United States consul
at Hong Kong, who was accompanied
by his wife and two children. It Is
thought all were drowned, The ship
was in command of Pilot Frederick
Jordan when she struck. lie was res
cued. Capt. William Ward went down
with his vessel,
As nearly as can be learned there
were 2Ol people on board.
The Rio de Janeiro was three days
overdue from Hong Kong, via Homo
lulu when she arrived off 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 to until about
4:3O o'clock, 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 II is be-
heved That many OF them were
drowned in their bcrths.
From all accounts 1t appears that
the officers were cool and gave the
necessary orders with the least pos
sible excitement. Capt. Ward,~ who
was on deck when the vessel struck.
ut once gave orders to the crew on
watch to hustle. the. passengers on to
the forward deck. At the same time
the quartermaster on duty sounded
the signal for fire drlll and within
five minutes all the men were at their
stations, There was no way of telling
the extent of the damage to the ves-
sci as she remained on an even keel
for 15 minutes after striking the rock,
but Capt. 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 life boats
and life RATS.
There was not much confusion I'M
I'll, 10 minutes after striking, the
bow of the vessel suddenly plunged
under water. Then there was wild
rush for the boats. Two boats had al
ready been lowered and others were
getting away as rapidly as the trained
discipline of the crew could prepare
them. A thick fog cnveloped every
thing, and as yet no sign had come
from the life-savlng stations. Dark
ness was all about. and with this
added horror the people on the Rio
had to cope.
while All this was gong on Lapt.
Ward was directing the passengers
and trying to keep them from panic.
He succeeded only partly, MS 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
unmber Of over 100. were terrorized.
Some Of them buddlcd in little groups,
chattoring in fear. Others crouched
close 10 the deck, moaning pitifully.
Many jumped into the sea.
That the steamer sank almost i'm
mediately after striking is the report
of majority of those who were
aboard Some Of the passengers say
that she instantly listed forward and
that in five minutes she went down,
while others declare that she stayed
nnoat for half an hour after she
struck. In the confusion occasioned by
such op incident it is not surprising
TO find that there is lack Of una
nimity as to the length Of time the
vessel remained above water.