Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-04-08
PASSENGERS OF
WRECKED LINER
ARRIVE IN PORT
CRUISER CALIFORNIA BRINGS
BACK SURVIVORS
ACCIDENT TO THE INDIANA WAS
REGARDED QUIETLY
Captain of Inflated Vessel Commend
ed for Cool Demeanor--Purser
and 4s others Reach
San Francisco
tBy Associated Press.

~ AN FRANCISCO, April 1.-One DAY
earlier than they would have made
~ port had the Inflated Pacific Mail
liner Indiana completed her trip on
schedule time, instead of striking on a
reef at Point Tasco, Lower California
last Saturday morning, Purser X. IA
Palache and the AS passengers OF the
vessel arrived here today aboard inc
United states cruiser California, to
which ship they were transferred from
the cruiser Albany at Magdalena bay
on the morning after the Indiana
struck.
AS the California steamed slowly
into San Francisco bay the hafDor
craft blew whistle blasts of welcome
to the crowd that lined the rails on
the warship's lquarterdeck. IN
After coaling here the California VIII
start, probably tomorrow AFTERNOON, Oh
her return voyage to Magdalena pay,
where she will compete for the trophy
in record target practice.
Transfer Was Orderly
Statements made by the Indiana
passengers and by the officers OF the
California were to the effect that there
was no disorder of any kind attending
the running aground of the liner, or the
transfer of the passengers to the Al
bany and later to the California.
All of the Indianas people spoke IN
the highest terms of the conduct OF
Captain ]. F. Robinson of the grounded
vessel, to whom, before leaving Mag
dalena bay, they presented resolu-
ton sympathizing with him ON the loss
of his ship and thanking him for ms
cool and considerate handling OF the
situation.
The events following the grounding
of the Indiana were devoid of excite
ment, or panic, the passengers SAID
When the vessel struck, at Z O'Clock III
the morning, none of the "a saloon pas
sengers had breakfasted.
Those who had not arisen were awak-
ened by stewards who told them to
dress, after which captain Rop1nsol'
passed among those on board and as
sured them that they were in no
danger.
Fifteen minutes after the ship struck
breakfast was served with as ntte
commotion as if the Indiana were sun
steaming on her course instead of ly-
ing on a reef in a dense fog:
There was no appreciate jar, one OF
the women on board said, when the In
diana ran ashore.
Officers Accommodating
On the trip north aboard the Cantor
MIA the ships officers gave up their
quarters to the saloon passengers and
chartered the American steerage pas
sengers with the chief petty officers,
Everything was done to promote the
comfort of the impromptu guests, most
of whom expressed the wish that the
run to San Francisco could have been
longer.
Concerts by the California's band
and other entertainment whiled away
the hours for the passengers. while the
officers stood trying watches on the
bridge as the cruiser moved cautious
~ through the dense fog.
Capt V. L. Cottman of the Califor-
MIA issued formal statement that the
Indiana ran aground just inside Point
Tasco, at the south end of Marguerite
island, thirty miles south of the en-
trance to Magdalena bay, while steer
ing the same course that the Pacific
squadron had steered two weeks be-
fore.
The news of the disaster was brought
TO the California, anchored just inside
the bay, by the third officer of the In
diana, who left his ship in a small
boat at s o'clock and arrived alongside
the California at 5 in the evening, his
boats crew having been pulling stead
lily for nine hours.
Among the Indiana's passengers were
the wives of four naval officers-Mrs.
Hazel ORear. wife of Midshipman
O'Rear of the Pennsylvania; Mrs. Lii
liam Perkins. wife of Paymaster Per-
kins of the Washington; Mrs. Sarah S.
Shute. wife of Ensign Shute of the
Washington, and Mrs. Minna Graham,
wife of Lieutenant Commander Gra-
ham of the Tennessee.
Ensign Shutes little son Corbin also
WAS on hoard.