Omaha daily bee., 1901-02-23

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A thick fog enveloped everything, and as
yet no sign had come from the lfesaving
station. Darkness was all about. and with
this added horror the people on the Rio had
to cope.
Ono boat got clear Of the vessel without
damage. This contained the following per-
sons: Mrs West Mrs. Ripley, Chief En-
gineer Herlihey Second Officer Coghan.
Frank Cramp, j. II. Russell Storekeeper
Borgg. Watertender u. Lane, Quarter
master r. Mathieson and Captain Hecht
OF the German navy This boat got clear
OF the sinking vessel 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 Officer
Holland and J. X. Carpenter, got away, but
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 we're uninjured
and swan away from the sinking steamer
Just In time to avoid being caught in the
swirl OF water caused by the settling OF
the big ship. Carpenter was picked up
by the other boat. The fate Of Holland
is not known, but he Is supposed to have
perished
number OF Italian fishermen who were
Just starting out this morning. the
sinking OF the Rio and at once FASTENED
to render every assistance in their power
Heroism of Captain Ward.
While all this was going on, Captain
Ward was directing the passengers and
trying to keep them from panic. He sue
ceeded only partly, as many of the terri
ned people rushed to the ralings and
jumped overheard. Some OF these were
picked up, others we're drowned The Chi
nese crew TO the number of over 100. wer,
terrorized Some of them huddlcd in little
groups. chattering in fear. Others crouchet
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 engulhng him Then h,
went up on the bridge and from there con.
tinued TO issue his directions although b,
this time the confusion was so great tha
few paid any attention to his commands
That the steamer sank almost immedi
ately after striking is the report OF ma
jority OF those rescued Some of the pas
sengers say that 1t instantly listed for
ward, and that in five minutes il wen
down, while others declare that it stayed
ahoat for half an hour after 1t struck. TIL,
confusion occasoned by such an inciden
is intense and 1t is not surprising to fine
that there is lack OF unanmity as I,
the length OF time the vessel remained
above water
The wreck lies about three fourths of
mile south of Fort Point and about .0O
yards OFF the rocky shore The smokestacl
and a portion of the upper works OF the i'll
fated steamer are visible.
There are several conflicting stories con
corning the fate OF Captain Ward. Th
steward OF the Rio says that he stood be
side the captain when the vessel wen
down. Two other survivors say that the,
also saw the captain to the last, but Fred
erick Lindstrom. the quartermaster office
OF the Rio emphatically declared tha
Captain Ward emulated Admiral Trion o
her British majesty's ship, Victoria. II
going down to his cabin. where he met hi
doom behind locked door.