The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-15

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tbs British King.
Capt. o1Iagan waSi carefully lowered
into the boat, but he was suffering agony
from his wounded leg and long exposure.
Then twelve Of the men leaped into the
hfeboat, including Chief Steward William
j. Curry. Others tried to follow. but the
seamen Of the Bostonian threatened to break
their heads II they overloaded the craft.
The rescued men were taken TO the
Bostor ian, and Capt. o,Hagan was trans
ferred TO a berth in the pilot house, where
everything possible was done to aid him,
while the wet sailors were revived with
coffee and dry clothing.
A boat from the German m steamer
managed TO get alongside and took. OH
eight men, buy darkness came on before
another trip could be made to the sinking
steamer.
During the early part Of Sunday night
the Officers OF the Bostonian kept their
glasses on the British King. The waves
continued to wash over her and finally
between II and IL O'Clock she plunged
head foremost to the bottom.
1t was bright moonlight at his time
and the scene as'awful, 30 the witnesses
say.
Both the resouing steamers stood by
during the remainder of The night. About
2 O'Clock in the morning those on the Bos-
tonian heard shrill blasts from a mates
whistle and saw flashes a short distance
away. Carefully picking his way through
the floating wreokage, Capt. Perry came
alongside a piece OF the forward Island"
q wooded covering used to protect live
cattle on deck, and clinging to the nail
were five men,.
They were second Mate James Flanagan,
Chief Engineer j. D.. Crawford, Fourth
Bartkoski and Frank Antonick. These Ave
men we're hauled aboard the Bostonian.
Chief Engineer Crawford says that when
the King gave her last plunge he went
down with her. but came up and found. him.
self clinging to the piece OF the island
along with the four others.
The men were cut to the bone by the
freezing wind, but kept up their spirits
because Of the nearness OF the resclers.
Antonick began firing a revolver while
Mate Flanagan blew upon his whistle, n
finally they caught the attention Of the
Bostonian.
During the night the Mannheim saved
three men who were found floating on a
piece Of w~reckage.
At daybreak the two steamers found them
selves in the midst Of a mass Of barrels,
bales OF hay, dead bullocks and bodies OF
seamen, but none of the latter could be
picked up on account OF the high sea.
The Bostonian spoke the Mannheim n
learned OF the saving of ten or eleven others,
the exact number not being clear. 1t is
said that one Of the crew of the British
King was washed overheard and drowned
on Saturday.
AT 0 O'Clock Monday the Bostonian and
the Mannheim resumed their voyages. Upon
the Bostonian every attention was given
to Capt. 0'Hagan. With what medical
knowledge they possessed the officers
dressed his wounds, but modification had
set in and yesterday forenoon he breathed
Capt, O'Hagan old Capt. Perry that he
believed he could have saved the vessel
had not the fires been extinguished, and
spoke highly Of the bravery Of his officers
and seamen. The shipwrecked men, most
of whom are Belgians. will 60 to New York
and ship for home. Capt. 0'Hagan's body
may be buried here. His home is in Liver
pool.
Capt. O'Hagan an Old and Careful skipper.
l.. B. Sanderson OF Sanderson q Son,
the agents OF the Phoenix Line in this city,
said the officers Of the British King were
Englshmen and the rest were English and
Befgians. They were shipped at Antwerp
for the voyage and were homeward bound.
So far as Ii known there was not an Ameri-
Capt. James c. o'Hagan was one of the
Oldest men in the service. Of the line. He
hailed from Liverpool, where he leaves a
widow and several children. He was IS
For ten years be had been connected with
the Phoenix Line and for seven years had
commanded the British King. He was
regarded as an exceptionally good COM
mander, careful at all times OF his ship
and crew, and the agents are convinced
that it was through no fault Of his that
the vessel was lost. Most of the officers
had been with him some time.
The British King carried a general cargo,
part Of which was $50 head Of cattle, with
a lot of oil, -four and hides. Mr.. Sanderson
said the value of the vessel was about
$3.50 900. He could not estimate the value
Of the cargo.
The British King was built in Liverpool
and launched in 1891.
Capt. O'Hagan was the second skipper
OF the fleet to die within a week. Capt,
Freeth of the British Empire dice In a
Hoboken boarding house last week Of
asthma while the British Empire was in
port. The body was sent back on his ship.