Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1906-01-26

the Passengers Crowded the Deck
Rail and In Excitement Overcrowded
the Boats Which Were Crushed.
victoria, b. c., Jan. 25.-In an in
terview at Bamfield Creek Wednesday
night, Boatswain Mccarthy told the
nrst detailed story of the Valencia
wreck. He said the steamer had been
going by dead recokning and oyerran
her distance. Soundings had been
made three or four times an hour.
Inc steamer struck at Has p. N. on
Monday night, about amidships, the
nrst officer, quarter master and a
seaman engaged in sounding, having
ten minutes before got 80 fathoms.
Shortly after The steamer struck
she was going at half speed. Cap. John
son Immediately shouted hard star
board to the quartermaster and gave
orders to sound the bilges which was
done She did not appear to be MAX
ing much water. The captain then
called to the engineer and asked If
the steamer YVES making much water.
Before the officers reply, fremen be-
nm clambering up from the fire room,
etIlllng the engineers on the compan-
1onway she was filling. Captain John
son rang for full speed astern and
made for the beach.
The propeller had only made
few revolutions when the vessel had
listed to port. Captain Johnson was
On the bridge when the vessel struck
with the second officer. He ran down
ani gave orders to have two of the
seven boats lowered to the saloon deck
rail. Instantly the passengers crowd
ed to the rail and overcrowded the
boats.
During the excitement they cut what
ever lines they could lay hands on.
The davits broke about the same time
the lines were cut, and both BOATS
were smashed at the sides of the ves-
sci, capsizing the passengers and crew
In the sea. The life boat threw lines
out and by means of jacobs ladders
succeeded in getting about six pas
sengers aboard again The boats
when lost were mostly filled with wo-
men and children. One very sad in
cident was witnessesed A lady and
gentleman with little girl tried to
get in on boat. The father succeed
ed, and the mother tried to pass the
child h1t n yyavo c+r,1oly bor ora 4ouo
the child from her arms The child
was lost before her eyes.
One life raft was also lowered, but
1t was dashed to pieces. After this
four boats succeeded in getting away
from the ship full of passengers. This
left one raft and a life boat. The
captain, after consulting with the Of
ficers, ordered Boatswsin Mccarthy
to take charge and called for volun-
teers and the five sailors who reached
shore in safety responded
The captain instructed them to put
along the beach and find place to get
ashore. They landed at 1:10 D. m.
Tuesday, and made Cape Beale light
mousse at p. m. BEFORE making cape
Beale they tried to get back to the
vessel, by the beach, but could not do
So During the excitement Captain
Johnson Mas very cool and calm and
all the cre\ were at their stations.
Boatswain Mccarthy did not hold
out much hope for the remaining life
boats, although the other nine sur
vivors are said to have made shore in
a boat and are expected to reach Bam-
field on Thursday.
The survivors are of the opinion
that the entire crew with their excep-
ton is lost.
A dispatch from Bamfeld says the
Valencia broke up Wednesday after
noon.