Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-02-22
SEluSAS|[RNEAR
san FRANCISCO
The Steamer Rio do Janeiro.
Goes Down in a Dense
fof.
Sinks With Large Number Of
PASSENGERS and Crew on
Board.
Consul wildman and Family
Thought to Be Among Those
Lost.
Number Of Drowned Estimated
Il From Fifty to $50
Persons.

S10VAA0e
San Francisco. Feb. 22.-The steamer
Honolulu, struck on a rock at an early
hour this morning just outside the
Golden Gate and sank in twenty min
utes. A large number Of people We're
drowned. The steamer had been lying
off the Heads all night, an unusually.
heavy fog preventing her from entering
the harbor. AT 5 o'clock this morning
she weighed anchor and headed for the
city in charge of Pilot Jordan. Shortly
afterwards the vessel struck hidden
rock and pilot Jordan shouted for all
on board to take to the boats. The Wild
est confusion prevailed. Passengers
and crew alike scrambled for the boats
and in the endeavor to escape from the
rapidly sinking vessel many jumped
overheard. Capt. Ward ordered several
boats alongside and the ladies of the
cabin and some of the gentlemen pas
sengers we're placed in them. The boats,
manned by part Of the crew, headed
citywards. So far as known but three
B Of the ships boats left the vessel On
board the Rio We're twent y-nilie cabin
passengers, $50 in the steerage and lao
in the crew. AS soon as word reached
the city tugs and other small boats put
out for the scene of the disaster and al
ready they are arriving with large num-
bers Of the rescued. There is an unveri-
fed rumor to the effect that Consul
fWildman,s of Hong Kong, and family
were among the drowned. Following is
8: list of the known saved:
Mrs. X. West, Mrs. Reilly. Miss Leh-
man. j. X. Carpenter, Oakland: Capt.
Hechts' German navy: William caspar,
Toledo, o.; r. H. Long, Honolulu;
Freight Clerk Engehart; Chief Engi-
neer Hurley Second Officer Coghlan;
Carpenter Tramp: Watchman RUSSELL;
storekeeper Boggs; Water Tender Lane !;
Quartermaster Mathiesen; r. s. Leary.
and Fred Lunsted.
The steamer Lequoia has just re-
turned from the scene of the disaster
and has twenty people on board. II is
reported that Capt. Ward locked him
self in his state room and went down
with the vessel.
Pilot Jordan was picked up by one of
the boats. He was severely injured. The
vessel sank in less than twenty minutes.
1t is positive the list of fatalities will be
large The steamer is not entirely out
OF sight. Her smokestacks and part OF
the pilot house are above water Nine
teen Chinese are known to have been
rescued. G. Hechts. German officer, was
rescued by the life-saving crew. Upon
being taken ashore and driven to the
California Hotel he said thru an inter
prefer that the fog prevented him from
seeing what was going on in the work
of rescue. Hechts procured life pre-
server, fastened it about him and
Jumped overheard. He was in the water
only a short time when rescued.
Pilot Jordan was taken on board yes
terday afternoon, inside the Farallones.
The ship then laid to until 4:30 this
morning, when the weather cleared
somewhat. The steamer then started
under half steam and held to her course
until $50. when she struck a rock.
There was terrific Jar. The steame.
kept an even keel for fifteen minutes,
when she suddenly plunged downward,
bow first. She struck boat and
emashed 1t. The boat contained Third
'<eHr ~ - ~ -.
capitalist of Oakland. Carpenter was
picked up. but II is not known what be-
came of Holland. Capt. Ward stood or
the deck and superintended the launch
ing of the lifeboats and RATS.
The number of lives lost is variously
estimated at from nifty to 150. 1t is al
most positive that Consul Wildman
wife and two children were among the
number lost. Nothing has been seen OF
the Wildman family since the vessel
struck the rock. Purser Rodney is miss.
ing and all his papers, it is believed
went down with the vessel and until he
IL found alive or his pounch recovered
II will be impossible to fully determine
the total loss OF life or until the agents
of the company in the orient and Homo
lulu can be communicated with. One
rescued passenger, gives it as his belief
thatsthe loss of the vessel was caused by
an explosion of her boiler.
There are several conflicting stories
concerning the fate OF Captain Ward
The steward OF the Rio says he stood
behind the captain when the vereel
went down. Two other survivors ray
they also saw the captain. but Fred K
Lindstrum. quartermaster. emphat.cally
declared Captain Ward emulated Ad-
miral Tyron OF the British cruiser VIC
toria in going down In the cabin. where
hs met his doom bshind locked doors