The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-25
THE MINNEAPOLIS JOURNAL.

persons, among them one or, two women,
had taken refuge in the foretopmast.
They appeared to be in the safest place,
as it was removed from the wash of the
waves, altho the flying spray dashed
over their heads. Suddenly and with
out warning, the mast tottered and
there came shrek from those on it
carrying its load Of human freight to i
terrible death. I do not think there
was a single one saved. Their bodies
we're washed from the ship and we
could see them dashed against the
rocks.
ITO add to our misery, the last Of
our food was washed away. We had
no water to drink save the bitter cold
sleet. The wind and rain, combined
with the sea, ,soonE numbed us. Every
little while one Of those in the rigging
would lose his hold and be swept
away to the sharp rocks. 5,
Cursed Rescue Vessel.
When we saw the Queen in tho
morning we thanked God for saving us,
put when she, in company with the tug,
sheered off and sailed away, sho was
followed by nothing but curses. ]
| suppose 1t was top dangerous for them
to attempt to save us.
=, When the Topeka finally hove IN
sight we determined to make an effort
TO reach her in the liferaft. Few of
the men cared to make the attempt, as
II appeared to be$certain death to even
try to cross the breakers. But eigh.
teen Of us were willing and we started.
With only pair Of oars, the struggle
against the wind and sea was almost
too much for us. - " =
Part of the time we were nnder
water and we were almost drowned
But we We're impelled by desperation
ana Fought and fought against the ele-
ments like demons.
We held one man upright in. the
center OF the raft and had him wave
q shirt on pole. When we saw the
steamer turn we thought she had over
had, we would have died right there.
1.-The waving Of the shirt on the
raft reminds me that when the Queen
was first sighted, the women in the
rigging even removed portions of their
clothing to wave as a signal for help
from thelr positions in the rigging.
Ship Breaking Up.
When we left the ship on the raft
we tried to get some of the remaining
women ito 60, but they refused. 1 NJ
help can now reach them before morn
ing, and the ship will have then gone
to pieces. She was breaking up when
we left her. She could not possibly
have held together more than a few
hours afterward She lies directly in
such a position that there is no hope
OF anyone reaching shore. If the two
boats which we; saw got away and put
to sea, are picked up, they and ourselves
will be the, only ones saved. "A
Captain johnson lost his bearings
and ran the ship ashore. 1t was dark
and stormy night and nothing coule
be seen. The ship struck while run
ming full speed. We all thought W,
were to the southward of Flattery, ant
after striking, Captain johnson proved
himself hero. He made the statement
that he would never leave the wreck
alive, and I believe, it. The chief en-
gineer is also carrying a revolver with
which to blow out his brains when tn
critical moment comes.
Many Heroes, Many Cowards..
"There were many deeds Of heroisn
and many acts Of cowardice, but, or
! the whole, the people behaved we'll an(
met their fate like MEN, s
L Second Mate Peterson, who was il
charge of the raft, sustained severe in
ljuries. He substantiated the story, al
did also everyone Of the men rescued:
The Topeca at daylight returned t.
the scene of the wreck to render what
ever aid is pessible:"f =