The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1906-02-02
The Valencia Goes to Pieces
on the Rocks Near
Cape Beale.
Only Thirty-six Of the Passengers and
Crew Were Saved, the Dead Num-
bering 119.-The Greatest Loss
Of Life in the North Pacific
Since 1875.

VlcLOrla, b. C.-Or the l54 peOpfo
on board the steamer Valencia when
she struck near Runaway rock, five
miles from Cape Beale, but thirty-six
were saved.
The dead number 121, the greatest
loss of life in the North Pacific since
the Pacific" was lost in 1875. The
Valencia, in whose rigging about thir.
ty people were clinging frantically
waving for assistance which could not
be given when the steamed Queen left
the scene at 1880 a. M, broke up
about 5 p. m. Wednesday, sweeping to
death those few who had survived
these terrible hours of privation,
chilled and numbed to the limit OF
human endurance by clouds of spray
which swept over them.
OF the total company of 1874, but 81
have been definitely accounted for
and three men believed to be other
survivors were seen on shore, from
the whaling vessel Orion, near the
wreck, budding about a fire. Six
survivors have been taken, on the Sal.
vor, most Of them so badly cut up and
bruised, without boots and so over.
come that they cannot stand, much
less walk. Eighteen were picked up by
the City of Topeka. With the three
seen from the Orion, mile and hall
from the wreck, added, the survivors
total to SO, leaving a death list of 119
persons. Not woman or child is
among the saved.
In an interview at Bamfield Creek |
Wednesday night, Boatswain Nc |
earthly told the first detailed story OF
the wreck. He said the steamer Val
encia had been going by dead reckon,
Ing and overran her distance. Sound
lngs had been made three and four
times an hour. The steamer struck
at 1l:45 p. m. Monday night, about
the first officer, quartermas
ter and seaman engaged in sound
ing having ten minutes before got
thirty fathoms. Reverse speed was
by Captain Johnson, but the
vessel began filing The captain
hen gave orders to have two of the
seven boats lowered to the saloon
1eck rail. Instantly the passengers
crowded to the rail and overcrowded
ne boats. During the excitement they
tut whatever lines they could lay
heir hands on The davits broke
bout the same time the lines were
tut, and both boats were smashed al
he sides of the vessel, capsizing the
passengers and crew in them. The
rev threw lines out and by means
Il Jacobs ladders succeeded in get
Ing six Of the passengers thrown out
Il the boats on board again. The
oats when lost were mostly filled
With women and children.
One very sad incident was wit
essed. A lady and gentleman with
little girl tried to get in one boat
he father succeeded and the mother
rled to pass the child, but a wave
truck her and washed the child from
er arms. The child was lost before
er eyes. One life raft was also low.
red, but 1t was dashed to pieces.
fter this four boats succeeded in get.
ng away from the ship all full OF
assengers. This left one boat and
Wo life RATS. The captain, after con.
llting with the mate, asked Nc.
arthy to take charge, which he did,
nd called for volunteers and the five :
ailors who reached shore in safety
esponded. The captain instructed
lem to pull along the beach and find
place to get ashore. They landed
ITO p. m. Tuesday and made Cape
eale lighthouse at p. m. Before
aking Cape Beale they tried to get
ack to the vessel by the beach, but
'uld not do so. T
The Valencia left San Francisco !
bout II o'clock on Saturday last and !,
card no sound or saw no light pres. =
sing danger. The officers were run. a
ng by dead reckoning and were on t
e outlook for Umatilla reef lightship !,
hen the steamer struck. She was 7
'cked off after she struck, but the u
alter filling the engine room, the fires t.
ere extinguished and the engine t
ew forced out of the room, although E
It before the Valencia had been driv. o
hard on the beach n