Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-25
No. 1859.

his parents. The last l saw of him he was
clinging to the rigging. There were many
similar cases.
"A lame officer from the Concord, ac-
companed by his two sisters, was also In
the rigging. By Wednesday morning the
ship was rapidly going to pieces. Every
swell carried away portion OF the ship,
and the decks rose and fell with every
breaker, and it was impossible to stay on
deck without clinging to a support. The
ship was sunk to about the level of the
hurricane deck.
"In the morning another calamity oc-
Cured About fifteen twenty persons,
among them one or two women. had taken
refuge in the foretopmast. They appeared
to be In the safest place, as 1t was removed
from the wash of the waves, although the
flying spray dashed over their heads
Suddenly, and without warning, the mast
tottered, and there came a shrek from
those on it. and the next moment it fell
with crash carrying it's load of human
freight to a terrible death. do not think
there was single one saved. Their bodies
were washed from the ship, and we could
see them dashed against the rocks.
No Food or Drink
ITO add to our misery, the last of our
food was washed away We had no water
to drink, save the bitter cold sleet. The
wind and rain, combined with the sea, soon
numbed u.s. Every little while one of those
in the rigging would lose their hold and be
swept away to the sharp rocks.
when we saw the Queen in the morning
we thanked God for saving us, but when
she, in company with the tug, Sheered Off
and sailed away, she was followed by Moth
ing but curses. / suppose it was too dan
gerous for them TO attempt TO save us.
When the Topeka finally hove in sight
we determined to make effort to reach
her in the raft lift. Few of the men cared
to make the attempt, as it appeared to be
certain death to even try to cross the
breakers. But eighteen of us were wiling
and started With only Il pair Of oars,
the struggle against the wind and sea was
almost too much for u.s.
Part of the time We were under water
and were almost drowned. But we were
impelled by desperation, and fought against
the elements like demons.
we held one man upright in the center
of the raft, and had him wave shirt on
a pole. When we saw the steamer turn
we thought she had overlooked us and was
going away. ii she had we would have
died right there.
THE waving of the shirt on the raft re-
minds me that when the Queen was first
sighted the women in the rigging even re-
moved portions of their clothing to wave a s
a signal for help from their positions in
the rigging.
Struck While Running Full Speed.
when we left the ship on the raft we
tried to get some Of the remaining women
to GO but they refused. No help can now
reach them before morning, and the ship
will have then gone to pieces. She was
breaking up when we left her. She could
not possibly have held together more than
a few hours afterward. She lies directly
in such position that there is no hope
of any one reaching shore. If the two
boats which we saw got away and put
to sea are picked up, they and ourselves
will be the only ones saved.
Captain Johnson lost his bearings and
ran the ship ashore. 1t was dark and
stormy night, and nothing could be seen.
The ship struck while running full speed.
We all thought we were to the southwark
of Flattery, and after striking Captain
Johnson proved himself a hero. He made
the statement that he would never leave
the wreck alive, and believe it. The chief
engineer is also carrying a revolver with
which to blow out his brains when the
critical moment comes.
There We're many deeds of heroism and
many acts of cowardice, but on the whole
the people behaved well and met their fate
like men"
Second Mate Peterson, who was In charge
of the raft, sustained severe injuries. He
substantiated the story, as did also every
one of the mem rescued.
The Topeka will lay in the strait until
daylight and then return to the scene of
the wreck to render whatever aid is pos
sble.