Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-01-24
Steamer Backed Away
 Badly Leaking.
GREAT LOSS OF LIFE
When the Valencia Was Wrecked Near Vancouver Islaud As
 sistance Long in Coming Owing to Heavy Seas.


 eastward of Cape Beale on the Van- couver Island coast, in the early Tues day morning, with heavy loss of life, greater than that of any other disaster that has occurred near here since the terrible loss of life following the col iision of the ship Orpheus with the steamer Pacific when ell route from Victoria to Portland.
 The survivors who have reached Cape Beale, the boatswain and five sea- men, sent to secure assistance in one of the steamers boats, report that at least fifty persons were drowned along side the steamer when boats loaded with women and children smashed against the steamers side soon after they were lowered from the vessel. When they left over 100 persons were huddled on the saloon deck of the steamer, which was then partly sub merged with the inrOlling sea washing over the main deck. A southeast gale was blowing with the wind whistling through the cordage of the wrecked vessel at a velocity of over forty miles an hour. and high sea was beating against the hull, sending spume high over it, and huge seas pounded on the deck, threatening to break up the wreck. Unless the several steamers which have been hurried to the assist ance of the wrecked vessel can arrive in time to save those who remain 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 sailed from San Fran cisco on her second trip to Victoria, replacing the recently disabled steam CT City of Publa. at II Il. m. Saturday. This was the only clear day and from Saturday evening Captain Johnson and His officers had to navigate by means of dead reckoning. E.
 Nearing the entrance to the straits the weather was very thick and the officers thought they were in the vi- cinity of the Umatilla reef lightship near Cape Flattery, which has good fog signal on board. Having had no observations and unable to make ont their position in the thick weather pre- vaillng. sOundings were taken, showing thirty fathoms. Immediately aftes the men with the lead lines reported thirty fathoms of water the steamer struck heavily against some reefs off shore with shock which awoke all on board.
 The steamer did not run upon the reef. and was immediately backed away. As she went into deep water she began to fill. the impact with the rock having greatly damaged the steamer. The engineers whistled to the bridge that water was pouring up over the engine rooms plates and they were unable to stand by their en- zines, so fast did the water rise in the engine room. They and the firemen were driven on the. deck, but before they were driven out, in answer to ex- cited jingles from the bridge, they gave what speed was possible, and Captain Johnson turned the vessel again toward the beach.
 As the Valencia was laundering as a result of her impact with the rocks, the only possible chance to save any of those on board was to put the vessel ashore again with the hope. scant though it was, of landing those on board on the rocky coast. Before she struck again on the rocks the en- gineers, firemen and all below had bexn driven above by the thrush of water. and the seas soon began to roll over the main deck. Water was over the deck when the boats were being lowered. the lights being extinguished by the flooding of the engine room be- fore the work was commenced.
 The loss of life was awful when the boats were lowered. Two boats filled with women and children were swept against the side of the steamer. smashed and completely wrecked. all those in the boats being swept into the sea and drowned.
 A special from Cape Beale states that when the Valencia left San Fran cisco at n a. m. Saturday the weather was clear. but since has been thick. and Captain Johnson consequently had to navigate by reckoning. The officers of the steamer thought they were near Umatilla reef lightship when the yes sel drove in on the Vancouver Island coast. SoundIngs had been taken thirty fathoms having been secured q few minutes before the vessel struck. When she hit the rocks her engines were reversed and the steamer sue ceele,i in backing Off into deep water. She immediately began to ill and so quickly that the engineers and fire men were driven from the engine room. and the only chance tO save the lives of anyone on board was to drive the vessel ashore. When the six survivors who have arrived at Cape BeaIe left fhe Valencia she was lying head on tO the sea and was about thirty yards from the high bIuff on shore. with the water over her main deck What was left of the passengers. large number having Ieen previously drOwnei. were husldled in the saloon deck When the boats were lowered soon after the vessel was driven into the skOre she Isxan to fill. and there was a great iass of life The boats filed with wc- men and children were smashed against the side of the steamer and an in them were lost The lights had gone out by this time and the crew could not see to work Several boats and three fife rzfts were Ioverpd Oniy two of them have been hesr,l from There were thought fO he about 1co persons stfl ca the wrrrk- and the survivors who hsd reachei Cape Bexle say at least ffty were drouned slnnE<t1e the steamer before they left The bostsvsfn and fTe sea