Evening star., 1905-10-06
STEAMER TOTAL WRECK
PACIFIC COAST VESSEL GROUND
ED ON ROCKS DURING FOG.

EUREKA, Cal, October 6.-Fast up on
the rocks one and half miles south of
Point Gorda and beside the boilers of the
old steamer Humboldt. the San Francisco
and Portland Company's steamer ST. Paul.
Capt. Randall. lies total wreck. Its
ninety-three passengers and crew of sixty
five men safe. Some are on board the
steamer Pomona en- route to San Francisco,
but the greater number are in Eureka, hav-
ing arrived on the tug Ranger of Eureka
and the steamer Vanguard. The captain
and most of the crew are in Eureka. The
disaster, it is said. was due to a thick fog
The Ranger came into port last evening
at 1890 o'clock. bringing five passengers,
and the Vanguard docked shortly before
midnight Capt. Randall states that the
disaster was due to the fog and attaches
blame to no one. The vessel was on it's
usual course and the weather was Gear un-
til Point Gorda was approached. When the
steamer ran into the fog bank Third Officer
Holmes was on the bridge. The first warn
ing he had of danger was the roar of the
surf, when he Immediately changed the
ships course. A moment later 1t struck
bow first 1t now lies with it's stern to-
ward land 200 yards from the beach, with
two lines fast ashore.
Shock Awakened Passengers.
Capt Randall was just about to get up
and take look around when the ship
struck the rocks. The shock awakened the
passengers and the watch below. Consider
ing the circumstances there was unusually
good order preserved among all On board,
says the captain, and there was no panic
or unnecessary confusion.
At O'Clock a small boat was sent to the
ltghtship off Blunts Reef, in order that
any passing steamer might be signalled.
Later second boat was picked UP by the
Vanguard. which turned around and went
to the rescue.
The Vanguard arrived at the scene of the
disaster about 2 o'clock and Immediately
began transferring passengers, three small
boats plying between 1t and the ST. Paul,
carrying passengers. The life saving crew
took off eighteen passengers and trans
ferred them to the Ranger. When the snip
was deserted the Ranger started toward
Eureka and the Vanguard soon followed
The Ranger met the steamer Pomona a
short distance out from the lightship and
permitted all but five of the passengers
to board 1t.
Passengers Landed.
Many people were gathered at the wharf
to receive any who might have been in dis
tress. Humboldt bar was smooth and the
night clear, which accounts for the Ranger
being able to enter the port. Shortly be-
fore midnight the Vanguard crossed the
bar and landed about fifty passengers
Captain Randall and the ships officers
We're on the Vanguard As many passan-
gers as can find accommodations Will con-
tinue the voyage to Portland on the
steamer Alliance, which will sail from here
for the north this afternoon. The Alliance
cannot carry all, however, and arrange
ments for the remainder will be made. Cap
tain Randall and the masters Of the Ranger
and Vanguard consider the st. Paul total
wreck, both ship and cargo. 1t had aboard
], 100 tons of miscellaneous freight.
, Statements of various passengers in se-
rerdt tn he
where an interview was secured. The wo-
men passengers suffered much from expos
ure. and number of them tainted when
they realized their peril.
]. +. Wickman of San Francisco, who ar
rived on the Vanguard, gave the following
account of the wreck:
Account Of the Wreck.
81 woke up about one-half hour before the
ship struck and felt the first bump, which
was as though we were rushing over stones
There was short interval OF quiet, then
severe -rumbling throwing the boat from
side to side 1 jumped from my berth,
opened the door: 1t was raining, and the
deck was apparently deserted l thought
we had been struck by some heavy seas.
Then heard some bells ringing and loud
talk, and knew that We were in for 1t.
Il saw officers and members of the crew
awakening the passengers. Some women
We're In state of excitement. After max
ing q poor attempt at DRESSING tney dp-
peared to regain control of themselves
when assured by the officers that they had
plenty of time. l left the ship In the sec
ond boat.
I'VE stood by the steamer, according to
instructions from the captain, when heavy
fog shut down. and we put out to sea.
Two hours later We sighted the st. Paul
and shortly after the Ranger hove in sight
and some of the other boats. We got the
balance of the passengers from the st. Paul
and steamed away for Eureka"