The San Francisco call., 1908-03-18

2
carry passengers and crew
TO their death, the women
bore up with bravery. Added
to the danger was the deep
ening darkness and the ris-
ing swell of the sea, but only
a few broke down and wept,
while some of the women
grasped their children to
their breasts in terror. The
men were calm and main
tanned complete order while
the passengers were being
removed.
HEADS FOR THE BEACH
The hospitable people of
Fort Ross opened their
homes to the sufferers and
cared for them as best they
could. A cold wind blew up
and occasioned some suffer
ing, but in the main the pas
sengers were made comfort
able.
Second Officer Hanna was
in command when the vessel
struck. The passengers had
Just gone TO the deck from
the dining room A few were still
lingering over the coffee cups. The
ship scraped badly. then seemed to
rise on end and then rocked as though
in the throes Of a frightful earth
quake. A sudden lurch threw the
vessel clear Of the rocks and il glided
gain to q smooth sea The passen-
gers knew on the instant what had
occurred.
Captain Swanson took immediate
charge and after a hasty examination,
which showed that the water was
pouring in through q gaping hole in
the ships bottom. ordered the nose
Of the Pomona turned toward the
beach.
STRIKES SECOND REEF
After a few moments run the Pomona
banged on to a hidden rock with ter
Tifc force Passengers were thrown
from their feet by the shock and al
once the disaster assumed new horrors.
A boat was quickly lowered and men
sent ashore to fix beacon light so that
The passengers could be removed with
the least danger. AS soon as the boat
returned the task OF removing the
passengers was begun.
The women and children were placed
in the boats with the greatest possible
speed. while the men assisted. Boat
load after boatload was sent ashore,
and then a jacobs ladder was rugged
l.s and the men began TO leave the
vessel Complete calmness prevailed.
There was no loud talking. but quiet
commands and swift execution broken
by the sound Of the waves.
The people Of Fort Ross and the
farmers in the surrounding country at
once offered every assistance to the
passengers from the ship. The accom-
modstions of the town are restricted.
snd large warehouse at the beach
was converted into a temporary hotel
Tor the accommodation of those who
had found no other shelter The
blankets and bedding were removed
from the Pomona and turned over to
the passengers.
LITTLE HOPE FOR SHIP
Most Of the passengers were able to
take their hand bagga ge with them
when leaving the steamer Most Of the
Wells Fargo matter and 102 bags of
mail. besides the usual cargo Of mer-
chandise. are located in the hold, which
by night had filled with water. The
driving sea threatened TO submerge the
Pomona. and late last night little hope
was felt that the vessel could be
saved.
The passengers were unanimous in
their praise OF the conduct of the off,
GERS after the vessel first struck En-
Eineer Clement was at his post when
the vessel hit the reef. He was quick
70 reverse the engines and the Pomona
was lifted from the rock with great
speed. With its nose toward the shore
the vessel was then ordered ahead at
full speed. and under the protection OF
the coast was driven for the beach. II
was the intention of Captain Swanson
TO run. the vessel on the sand. The
denly the vessel, going at top speed.
struck the second rock. It's force car
ricd it far Oh TO the reef and its plates
were pierced. II was apparent in a
moment that there was no chance for
the ship.
The steamer Pomona is a steel craft
schooner rugged, of 1924 tons The
steamer was built at the Union iron
works in 1883. her length being 225
feet over all. 33 feet in width and 16
feet in depth.
Monterey reef derives it's name from
the steamship Monterey, which was
wrecked there 80 years ago.
Fort Ross is an old Russian settle
ment. 1t was used as trading point
by the Russians when they reached
:nfo Alaska and along the Pacific. The
little city has many points of historical
interest.
STORY OF PASSENGER