Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1906-01-25
1888 DEAD IN
VALENCIA WRECK
FIFTEEN SURVIVORS LAND
AFTER HARDSHlPS
Human Endurance Could Not stand
the Pounding Waves and All
on Rigging Are Swept
Away

board the steamer salvor has wirec
from Bamfleld as follows:
The steamer Valencia was located
by the steamer Queen at Q a. m. today
on Point Klanaway, about five miles
from Cape Beale The tug Gear wen
In to investigate and reported that the
steamer was ashore stern first will
her decks swept clear with the excep.
ton of a small part Of the house and
her two masts still standing. No per
sons could be seen alive on board. In
the rigging of the foremost was what
the captain of the tug Car took to be
a signal. although he was unable to
say whether it was a piece of sail or a
human being clinging to the rigging.
The steamer Salvor stood I'm fot
about two miles, but was unable to go
any further as heavy southwesterlS
gale was blowing. making 1t highly
dangerous, If not impossible, to make a
closer approach.
Couldn't Get Near
The Car was within three-q quarters
of a mile from the wreck but could
go no further toward the Valencia and
after making as complete an eXamina-
ton as possible she returned to the
Queen and Salvor. The latter steamer
and the tug Car then left for Bam-
field Creek, the Queen standing by her
companion liner.
When the Salvor left the scene there
was a heavy swell from the southwest
and the rain was falling in torrents
The Queen reported having heard three
gunshots shortly before arrival of the
Salvor but nothing of any living per-
son was to be seen.
Later q correspondent on the SalVor,
dated Bamfield, says:
IT was about noon or q little after
when those on the bridge of the Salvor
sighted the tug Salvor fighting hard
against the heavy sea. Soon those on
the Salvor could easily see the unfor-
tunate vessel. 1t was a bleak scene.
Amid the surf, which dashed furiously
against the rocks, could be seen the
dim outline of the ship.
Used Powerful Glasses
Owing to the coudiness of the sky
and the binding wind and rain, it was
impossible to make much out, even
with the assistance of powerful glasses.
But occasionally when the white waves
made a suitable background, what was
above the water could be made out
with comparative clearness. 1here
were two masts quite plainly outlined,
and the funnel still intact.
Being high tide, the deck was COM
pletely submerged with the exception
of small portion of the bow. AS far
as could be seen there was nobody on
the decks or in the rigging. Every
thing seemed perfectly bare.
She was lying astern toward the
beach with the seas dashing over the
boats side.
Judging roughly, she must be about
$50 feet from shore perhaps less.
The Car got closer than the Salvor,
and returning reported to Captain
Troup on the former vessel.
Did you notice any one clinging to
the rigging?" shouted the captain.
mo" was the reply from the tug
skipper.
But there is something flying from
the masts, 1 can't just make out what
it is
After slight hesitation Captain Troup
asked whether it could be possible that
any of the passengers, who as last
resort might be cinging desperately
to the mast in the hope of being picked
up.
No Sign of Life
Those on the tug did not think such
n thing could be possible inclining to
the opinion that it was simply a piece
of sail or something of that nature.
Nor does it seem reasonable to believe
there could be anything alive on the
ship in her present condition.
The appearance she presents as she
lies hopelessly aground with the water
covering everything but the masts and
funnel makes it impossible TO conceive
of anyone remaining with her since
the occurrence Of the disaster at mid
night on Monday.
This was the conclusion come 10 by
the seamen on the steamer Salvor.
They stated that II WIS highly i'm
probable any rescuing would be neces-
sary. Even if any one was then on the
vessel it would have been perilOus in
deed, for the three steamers then avail
able, the Salvor. the Queen and the
Car, with their combined crews to
have got sufficiently close 10 pass a
line to the deck of the wreck. As Cap
tain Troup remarked:
RESCUE from the seward is impos-
sible If there is any one still on
board, aid must come from the shore"