New-York tribune., 1906-01-26
PERIL ON LIFE RAFT.
S"510or Tells Of Thrilling Erpe-
1enCeS Seeking Safetu.

Topeka picked up life raft at / o'clock Yesterday
afternoon six miles of Cape Beale with twenty
survivors OF the Valencia on board The men were
half frozen and practically unconscious from the
exposure. The raft was sighted about 70 o'clock
but owing to the thick weather il was supposed 10
be nothing but log. At last by the aid Of a
powerful glass its true nature determined
4 terrible sea running. One minute the raft
was poised on top of and the next il would
be lost from view I'm the gully formed by the
mountainous breakers
The eighteen men together with their frail sup
port hattled bravely with pair OF oars 10 reach
the Topeka. which owing to the dangerous coast.
could not in any closer to them. Within half
a mile from the raft boat was lowered from the
Topeka. in charge OF the second mate Burke who
with much difficulty succeeded in making fast a line
TO the raft.
The spectators on the Topeka watched the strug-
Cling Of the gallant seamen breathIessy. One min
ute they were high in the air, and the next lost
to sight At last the raft was brought TO the side
Of the steamer Time and again great seas swept
over those aboard. and the onookers feared they
would be swept away
The work Of reecuing them was dangerous. The
men were too exhausted even to tie ropes about
themselves
The raft put out from the wreck yesterday morn
Ing on sighting the steamer Queen. and attempt
ed 10 reach her. but before they could get within
sighting distance the vessel put about and headed
for the Strait
When the Topeka hove in sight the raft was once
more manned. and again put forth The survivors
told terrible tales of the of the vessel When
they left the ship there about ninety persons
on hoard. most Of them clinging the rigging.
Men. women and children being swept away
by every sea.
After picking up the raft the steamer went in
search Of another raft. which the rescued men said
had left the ship earlier in the day. The vessel
ran fully twenty miles the other side. looking for
the raft, but no sign OF It discovered.
STORY OF A SURVIVOR.
The following is the story of G. Wilets. Of
the passengers and one Of the men rescued from
the raft:
Of The ship struck at % l2q o'clock the morning mo ,,
smoking a cigar. and was looking at my watch
excitement There were the shrieks Of the fright
n5u % men ana wonen; me van OF htIle GhllGIen @
sci Teeled like a drunken man, slid over the reef
The command 10 back her off was given. and she
went aStern at fun speed, but II too late. The
the TessaIs stern To +ba bescb anS Ser u bsd t
swept back 10 the shore. and struck once again
T. Every wave now. washed clean over, her. and
their deaths without time TO murmur prayer.
Of them on the Weather side We're launched and
We're smashed like eggsbells as soon as they struck
the water. Then came the attempt get out the
Purser O'Farreu took charge Four women and
number OF men went into one boat Just as they
we're re- lowering it the davts broke. and the stern
or the boat fell to the water while the bow hung
IN In the aiE ayery one was Precpitated into the sea
The waves, dashing over the ship started break
Ing il up. They swept the deck loose and every
house Then an attempt was I made to get l''n line
ashore. ashore A fireman named Cigales agreed to swim
but was unable TO make the beach. The ship
Of precipi1ous blur he " comes sheer e 'e io the
waters edge one man was swept ashore ahd
succeeded In landing small rock We shot a
but fell and was killed.
SHIP GOING TO PIECES
BY Wednesday morning the ship was rapidly
going to pieces. Every swell carried away por-
ton Of the ship and the decks rose and fell with
deck without clingng to a support. The ship was
sunk 70 about the level Of the hurricane deck.
About fifteen or twenty persons, among them one
mast They appeared to be in the safest place As
II was removed from the wash Of the waves al
suddenly. and without warning. the tottered
next moment it fell with a crash carrying its load
TO death do not think there was q single one
and We could see them dashing against the rocks.
TO aGo 10 our misery, the Iast OF our 1000 Vas
wind and rain combined with the sea soon numbed
would lose his hold and be swept away to the
When We saw the Queen coming in the morning
thanked God for saving us, but when she, in
aWay We We're greatly dsappointed. / suppose
II was too dangerous for them to attempt TO
When the Topeka finally I'm sight. de
teTmDed 70 make effort 10 reach her in tho
raft. Few of the men cered 10 make the attempt.
: Fl appeared 10 he certain death even TO try to
cross the breakers But some OF us we're willing,
struggle against the wind and almost
much for Part Of the time under
water. and We're almost drowned. But
impeled by desperation and fought the elements
desperately.
Captain Johnson lost his bearings and ran the
ship ashore It dark and stormy night, and
nothing could be seen. The ship struck while run
ming at full speed. We all thought we were TO the
southwark OF Flattcry- Captain Johnson made tho
statement that ne would never leave the wreck
alive and ] believe it, The chief engineer also
carrying revolver with which To blow out his
brains when the critical moment came
There many deeds OF herOsm and many
acts Of cowardce. but, the whole the people be-
haved well and met their fate like men.
Second Mate Peterson. who was in charge Of the
raft, sustained severe injuries. He substsutiated
the story, did also every OF the men
rescued