Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-01-14
FIFTY PEOPLE DROWNED
Terrible Disaster Off Coast Of British
Columbia.
NOT A WOrAN OR CHILD SAVED.
Monster Wave Smasies headlight and the
Ship Is Flooded the Passengers
Vino Took to the Boats In Hope OF Safety
Per shed-Soon After Tugs From Fort
Tow send Reach the Steamer II Goes Down.

Port Townsend, Wash. (SpeciaD.-
Fiity-two lives we're lost in the sink
ing OF the fine new steamer Clallam IN
storm that swept over the straits OF
Juan de Fuca with relentless fury. The
vessel was a regular daily passenger
packet. She made moderately good
progress across the straits, bound Tor
Victoria Island until off the entrance
TO the harbor was abeam.
Then a terrific cross sea was pelting
the vessel. retarding her progress and
making life uncomfortable for those
aboard. Little fear was manifested,
however, until word came up from be-
low that the vessel was leaking. lnvcs-
tiSatiou showed that the waves OH the
windward side had stove i'll dead
light through which the water rushed
in volume resisting all efforts to stop
it,
Seeing the efforts futile, the safety OF
the passengers. particularly the women
and children, was looked after, and all
who desired were put off from the
steamer III the ships boats.
The heavily laden boats were thrown
about wildly in the choppy sea. and
one after another. after succeeding IN
getting away from the vessel, were
either capsized or swampcd,
The terrible fury OF the storm is at
tested by the fact that not woman or
,lilld OF all those aboard has lived to
.cll tho tale. An apparent discrepancy
N numbers from the list ot fatalities
following is accountable to the TACT
Ihat Only such children as pad hall
jarc we're enrolled III the passenger list.
In the meantime word had come
from Victoria OF the vessels predica-
mcnt and a fleet OF powerful tugs were
dispatched from here to render assist
ince. The Richard Holyokc. in com
rand OF Capt. Robert Hall was the
irst to reach tho Clallam which had
ov this time carccncd partly over from
lie thrush oi water whi,h had put the
Engines out OF commission. The Holy
okc reached the Clallam about II
o'clock and about a. NJ. succeeded IN
getting a hawoer aboard with which
he started to tow the Clallam to
safety
The Clallam took a heavy lurch and
hose remaining aboard were compelled
o climb up the side to safety, finally
caching the root OF the pilot house.
Without a moments hesitation the
,r's boats were lowered and the work
yf rescue commenced. At this point the
ug Sea Lion, Captain Hunter, arrived
md her men rendered valuable assist
,ncc Before all the struggling people
rad been taken off the Clailam com
nerced to break up and soon afterward
vert down. All possible assistance TO
re rescued people was given by the two
,hip masters and their crews and the
ugs hurried to Port Townsend The
passengers surviving and the remainder
IT the crew then took passage on the
Origo. bound for Seattle
W. II. Grimes, Of Redmond, WASH
,board the Cla!lam, bound Tor Victoria.
gives this statement:
The weather was pretty rough sad
lc. but we had no suspicion OF danger
lnti someone forward said something
bout life prescrvcrs. went forward tc
rvcetigatc and there learned that the
rlaiam was making water rapidly. The
)nats were promptly nanred and
aunched and the women and children
md such passengers as desired to leave
we're placed in them, competent crews be
rg in charge. The boats made off from
he steamer safely, but one after an
othcr they capsizcd and we were helpless
20 rcndcr them any assistance.