Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-02-02
INVESTIGATE
THE WRECK
Terrible Tragedy Of the Sea in Which
Upwards Of One Hundred Lives
Were Lost.
A VALENCIA SAILORS STORY
Those Who Got Ashore First Aban.
doned Those on the Doomed
Steamer.

Seattle, Feb. 1.-More startling
testimony in regard to the Tule life
preservers was brought out during the
investigation into the Valencia disas-
ter, in which over 100 lives were lost,
this morning, when Frank Richley,
fireman's mess boy of the vessel, tes-
titled that he went into the life-boat
with nothing rather rather than trust
himself with life-preserver.
Il never cared for those life-pre-
servers" he said, "and thought would
stand better chance swimming"
Richley, accordingly jumped into the
life-boat and after that boat had been
capsized by a big wave, he manag-
ed to climb onto 1t and make his way
ashore.
Richley stated that when he arriv-
ed on the shore he found some Of the
others who had gone of in the boat,
among whom was Frank F. Bunker.
Abandoned Their Fellows.
The inspectors next turned their
attention to ascertaining why those
who had come ashore with Richley
did not make their way up the cliff,
where the line shot from the Valencia
lay Richley replied that he suggest
ed that they do so. At this time the
men were standing on the beach
where they had first landed.
Richley then suggested that the
men go to the top Of the hill. He
stated that he could have reached the
point where the line lay, but was
physically unable to do so owing to
his ankle, which he says he hurt
while making his way ashore.
Richley denied that he had made
statements to newspaper CORE
spondent that the officers of the YES
sells were "rattled." He also denied
that he made statements to the effect
that he would back Bunker up re-
gar1ing the life-preservers. Richley
said: II heard Captain Johnson tell
the officers to prepare to lower the
boats. I was standing at No. boat
on the starboard side. 1 went to the
forward falls of the boat. It was so
dark I could not distinguish people
two feet away. Soon somebody let
go the after fails. I accordingly let
go mine.
when we had lowered the boat,
to the saloon deck, the passengers be-
gan crowding in. The rest of us then
went down to the saloon deck.
Crowded the Women Away.
Il asked them to at least make room
for the women who were standing
about. helped Mrs. Campbell. who
was the first woman to get into the
boat. Her little girl then cried, and
asked to 60 with her mother. grab
bed her and threw her into the boat.
I saw no man get out to make room for
the women.
"Then someone yelled, Lower away
and l yelled to First Officer Holmen
that there we're too many people in
the boat. I could not see anyone, but
the answer came back, Lower away
that boat, what the is the mat
ter with your"
Richley, in telling of the launching
Of No. boat. stated that he did not
know there was any officer in her.
When asked by the inspectors If he
did not know the second mate was
with the boat, he replied that he did
not.
II thought there was nobody in COM
mand, so told them to get her out
to sea-"
Never Was Examined.
The testimony of w. Joslyn, one of
the sailors and also member of the
volunteer crew which landed at Cape
Beale was directed more toward the
inspection of the Valencia than toward
finding if any neglect on the part of
the officers existed.
Joslyn in giving his testimony stat
ed that he had never taken an exami-
nation, but was good sailor and ev-
erbody knew it. He said he had fol-
lowed the sea ever since he was 8
years old.
"I was standing at No. 6. Richley
was mistaken when he said he went
out on No. 5. The passengers crowd
ed in the boat without orders. Invent
in and screwed up the patent plug.
The passengers were excited and at
tempted to cut the falls. The second
mate was in the boat and trying to
keep her off the ships side.
"I did not hear anyone give an or
der to lower the boat, except to hear
some one say, Let her co. Both
myself and the sailor standing at the