The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-01-26

picked up a life raft at 1 o'clock yes
tCrday six miles or Cape Beale with
eighteen survivors of the Valencia on
board.
The condition of the survivors was
pitiaDle They were half frozen and
practically unconscious from the eX-
pCsurc The raft was sighted about
u o'clock, but owing 10 the thick
weather il was supposed TO &c nothing
but a log. AT last, by the aid of a
powerful glass. its true nature was de-
termined.
A terrible sea was running. One
minute the raft was poised on top OF
a wave and the next il would be lost
from view in the gully formed by the
mountainous breakers.
The eighteen men together on their
frail support. battled bravely with a
pair of oars TO reach the City of To-
peka, which, owing TO the dangerou,
coast could not run any closer TO
them. Within half a mile from the
raft a boat was lowered from the
Topeka in charge of Second Mate
Burke. who, with much difficulty, sue
ceeded in making fast a line to the
raft.
The spectators on the Topeka
watcher the struggling of the gallant
seamen breathlessly One minute they
we're high in the air and the next lost
10 sight. At last they succeeded IN
bringing the raft to the side OF the
steamer. The sight of the poor
creatures on the raft brought tears TO
the ewes of the sailors on the vessel
In the stern of the raft sat an OLD
man. His snow white hair and paid
features were creased and torn by
the fving spray. but the instinct OF
life was strong in him and he held
ON bravelv to his place. Three others
we're living IN a senselesS heap in the
rear washed by every swell and re
tanned solely BY the bodies Of the other
men who were closely PACKED.
, Time and time again great seas
sweDt over them, senains a shudder
I through the Onlookers, VINO feared u
see them swept away.
The work of resucing them Was dah-
geroUs. The men we're TOO eXhausteH
to even tie a rope about themselves
Wapn the raft was slgnJed CT!
went ND from the steamers dech. vi
ders we're shouted and men on the raI'
! screamed and called frulJlessl! IoI
a;d. For a minute IL looked as though
! the old man with gray hair was gone
when the raft gave sudden lufCh'
Int the prompt work OF Mate BuTAe
and the men in his boat nnall! sO1
4 him on ueck. This man no sooner
was safe when another falntlng IOrH,
was swept away and was only rescued
! NV Quick work on the part OF the boat )
crew. g., 80
ST managed to grasp a line and cllns
/ =, II until he was boisted half way Up
l The sbiD's side. when his strength CAV
out and he fell back. We was plcAeo
up by the crew. ,,l,
yesterday morning on sighting Ile
steamer Queen. and attempted -
roach her. but before Fhey could sc;
within sighting distance the Nesn9i
I mt about and headed 10 the STRAIT
When the Topeka hove in slsh' Olio
raft was once more manned an asa-.i
/ mi forth The survivors told terri
/ HE tales of the wreck Of the NaIehCl'',
when they left the ship there We
ahout ninetv. people on board, most "i
teem clingin'g to the rigging -
Men women aud children were "
/ inc swept BIZ a quick sea. As soon d
the men got aboard DR.. B. r NiiI1iIle'
assisted by two nurses and Two niel'i,
( hers of the crew. hastily admlnls'eieU
stimulants and put them 10 BED
After picking up the raft the s'e.1l,i'
o.. vent in search Of another RAJ,
which the rescued men said had leI'
! nc shin earlier in the day. Inc YES
! sci ran fully twenty miles me Oe ~
side looking for the raft' put tio 80
of il was 10 be seen. IL Is me
al Impression that thefaft was iOs''