The San Francisco call., 1909-03-22
Fire on Shore Thought to Be
Burning Vessel Lures Boat
Out of Course
Big Lumber Steamer K. D. In
man Founders on BOIinas
Point
Crew of y Escape in Boats, and
One Washed Overheard Is
Rescued
Craft Worth $4,000 Is Now
Beating to Pieces md e
Total Loss

lOIdl LOSS
T ESS than two hours after sail
/ ing from this port for Portland,
IL Ore, the big lumber steamer r.
D. Inman went on the rocks near Bo-
linas point in the storm Saturday
night The wreck occurred while the
ship was hugging inshore TO aid what
the captain thought was burning
vessel, but which proved TO be bon
fire on the beach. The steamer IS &C
total loss, and rapidly is pounding to-
pieces
Crew Flees in Boats
The crew of p men got ashore
safely in rowboats, where they gath
cred around the driftwood hre that
had lured them on the rocks One
man was washed overheard during the
night, but through lucky chance was
rescued.
First to the rescue of the doomed
vessel was the revenue cutter Sno-
homish, in charge of Captain Francis
A. Lewis, which arrived here from
Norfolk, Va. Saturday. She began
her career of usefulness yesterday by
steaming to the scene of the wreck
The Snohomish laid off Bolinas
point all last night, and this morning
she will make an effort to land and
bring the crew back to San Fran
cisco.
Two Hours Out. Is. Wrecked
The $4,000 steam schooner left
here at $50 Saturday night, bound
north for Portland, where she was to
load lumber. Shortly after 8 o'clock
she arrived off Duxbury reef, about IL
miles from the Golden gate. and few
minutes later she was fast on a rock.
with her back broken, either end sag
ging into the sea. and with all hopes
of saving her gone.
The captain, Chester Jackson Ian
caster, a well known skipper, remained
on the vessel all night with the crew
In the darkness George MerkeI, the
steward. was washed overheard. but
Harry Miller, the first assistant en-
gineer. succeeded in pulling him back
on the deck.
Answers Distress Sign
| Captain Lancaster says that he de-
Iiberately altered his course to go to
the aid of what he thought was a
burning oil steamer. He steered toward
the shore, getting inside reef, and
when he decided that the supposed
vessel was too near shore for him to
aid it. he turned back only TO ind
himself surrounded by rocks Both the
/ captain and first mate say they did
not hear breakers as they approached
the shore. which they could not see in
the darkness.
4Srhe Inman struck aft, then swung
around with the bow pointing inshore,'
Captain Lancaster said last night. ~Ths
engines were reversed and the ship
went astern 40 feet and then stuck
fast. striking heavily. breaking tha
rudder and knocking the sternpost out
The engines were disabled and the YES
sci began to iii rapidly.
I've started the pumps and managed
to keep the water down for an hour,
but then it came too fast for US. and
we put out the fires and blew the
boilers. The steamer filed, settled to
the bottom and began working its way
over the reef toward shore.
Ships Ignore Lights
1--WE struck at $50 and burned blue
lights from that time until 8 a m
Several vessels went by. but paid no
attention to us"
When F. S. Loop. president OF the
Loop lumber company. owner OF the
steamer. arrived at the scene IN the
tug Restless, with Captain L. H. Turner
of the Marine Underwriters and VII
liam Chatham. secretary of the COM
pany. he found the Inman on the rocks
about half a mile east OF Bolfnas point
j Captain A. f. Pinsbury of the under
writers and Harry E Pennell. treasurer
of the lumber firm. went TO the scene
overland across Marin county. Vice
President c. s. Frantz remained here
to make arrangements for sending the
steamer aid. and today the steamer
Fulton win be dispatched 70 her as
sistance.
Loop and Captain Turner attempted
TO land in Bolinas bay in gasoline