The San Francisco call., 1909-11-23
WRECK SURVIVORS
TO SEEK REDRESS
VIII Demand Settlement for
Their Suffering and Loss of
Their ValuabIes
Burning of st. Croix Ends Coast
. Steamer War and Rates
Are Raised
Continued from Page 1

of wrecked vessels McMiken ex-
planned. I'VE will pay the men in full
when they arrive
The official investigation of the wreck,
at which testimony will be taken from
captain, crew and passengers. will be
held Friday before Inspectors Bulger
and Bolles. This inquiry the insurance
companies take cognizance of, it is
always searching and complete. and be-
fore the money is paid for the loss of
the vessel the record of the investiga-
tion will be gone over by the under
writer's.
By the statements of Captain Warner
and c. G. Claggett, one Of the four pas
sengers who arriver yesterday, it be-
came known that the ST. Croix was not
abandoned a moment too soon, for hard
ly had the small boats cleared the blaz-
ing vessel when there was a loud ex-
plosion on board that shook the craft
and made itself felt even in the life
boats. 1t was thought this resulted
from the oil tanks, which lay forward
of the engine room. The fire started
aft, and when it had crept forward to
the oil the vessel was doomed.
PRAISES THE CAPTAIN
I'm Captain Warmers report to me-,
Hamilton said last night. "he stated
that he was the last to leave the vessel
and the last to leave the beach after
the passengers had gone and part of the
crew had been taken off in the Perry.
The men, Captain Warner says. acted
well. The captain himself is a man that
nothing can rattle.
II was in my bunk reading when the
fire was reported to me-" Captain War
ner said, 'and / ordered the first officer
with the deck crew below to locate and
fight the flames. I went on the bridge
and directed operations"
In all particulars the captains story
is as first reported from the south He
declares the rumors of incendiary
origin to be absurd, but he says no one.
so far as he has discovered, can tell
how the flames started.
One of the heaviest losers in the
wreck was William K. Day, a jewelry
salesman Of III Market street who lost
satchel containing jewelry samples
valued at $4,000. Mrs. l.. A. Wallace OF
Berkeley, who was injured and nearly
drowned with her baby while the small
Santa Monica hospital yesterday. Her
husband, who dived after her, has suf-
fered no III effects.
Mrs. Charles Veilbaum. and her son
Herbert of San Francisco, with Mrs
Grace Thomas of Vancouver. left Los
Angeles on the train for this city yes
terday.
HAS ENDED RATE WAR
The loss of the ST Croix has def
nitely ended the steamship rate war,
for the i'll fated vessel was the COM
peting craft that first caused the
slashing of prices. The Pacific Coast
steamship company. the largest oper-
prices of $3.50 first class on their best
steamers to Los Angeles next Monday,
though their craft sailing Wednesday
will go under the low rates. The Ad-
miral Sampson of the Alaska Pacific
line will return to her first class>rate
of S11.35.
1t is announced by the Independent
steamship company that their steamers
will return to the rate of SO first class
to Los Angeles, and s7.35 second class.
Manager Walton of the Independent
line is far from happy as result of
the st. CroiX's loss, for the burned yes
sci has been referred to as belonging
to an independent line" and indig-
nant citizens by the hundreds, reading
of the passengers plight, have called
up the Independent Offices and unloosed
their anger. Walton wants the world
to know that his line will never and
has never had anything to do with the
st. Croix. His steamers, in fact have
been among the st. Croix's most sue
cessful competitors.