The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-24
Gale Adds to Terror.

that gale had been in progress on the
island coast for the past two days. Off
Vancouver island velocity of forty
miles an hour was reported. A ire
mendous sea sweeps in on the rocks
near Cape Beale in heavy weather, with
high breakers.
Captain Gaudin, agent of marine,
disaster from the ightkeeper, when
asked his opinion as to the probable
scene of the wreck, said he believes
it is at Pachena bay, which is about
half way between Choose and Cape
Beale.
Separating these two points is a
stretch of coast line probably ten
miles long; Nearer Cape Beale than
Choose is Pachena bay, at the entrance
to which are the dreaded Seabird rocks,
on which. the steamer Michigan was
wrecked about ten years ago.
Captain Gaudin believes it was on
these same rocks the Valencia struck.
The rocks stand out where the wind
and current seem to concentrate their
greatest force from the Pacific. A
landing, unless under most favorable
circumstances, would appear impossi-
BILE.
If the ship came to grief in this
locality she would be nearer Cape Beale
than Choose, which accounts for the sur
vivors reaching there.
Boatloads Go Down.
The survivors who have reached Cape
Beale, the boatswain and five seamen
sent to secure assistance, report that
at least fifty persons were drowned
alongside the steamer when boats load
ed with women and children smashed
against the steamer side soon after
they were lowered from the vessel.
When they left, more than 100 persons
were huddled on the saloon deck of
submerged, with the rolling sea wash
ing over the maindeck.
A southeast gale was blowing with
the wind whistling thru the cordage of
the wrecked vessel at a velocity of
forty miles an hour, and high, sea
spray high over it.. Huge seas pounded
on the deck, threatening to break the
vessel at any, moment. Unless the sew
eral steamers that have been hurried
to the scene can arrive in time to save
those who remained on the wreck, it
is doubtful if any Of them will reach
shore, for landing in such place is
extremely difficult, if at all possible.
The Valencia, replacing the recently
disabled steamer City of Puebla, sailed
from San Francisco at II am, Satur-
day. This was the only clear day and
from Saturday evening, Captain John
son and his officers had to navigate by
means of dead reckoning. AS the Val
J encia was laundering as result of her
impact with the rocks, the only possible
chance to save any of those on board
was to pull the vessel ashore again,
with the hope, scant tho it was, Of
landing those on board on the rocky
coast.
It is a greater disaster than that of
the collision between the ship Orpheus
and the steamer Pacific when en- route
from Victoria to Portland.
Who Passengers Are
Seattle, Jan. 24.-Among the Nps
sengers on the Valencia were Mr.. AZ.
Mrs. F. F. Bunker and two children of
San Francisco. Mr.. Bunker was re-
Gently appointed assistant superintend-
emit of Seattle schools and was on his
way north to enter on his duties. His
home has been in San Francisco
Miss Van Wyck, another San Francis
co passenger, is a sister of Mrs. w. A
Peters, wife of prominent Seattle at
Continued on I'd Page, Sd Column.