Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-01-14
First Assistant Engineer Drifts
Ashore on Plank.
LIFE LINES ARE TOO SHORT
All Efforts Prove Futile and Crowd
on shore Sees Benumbed Men
Fall Into the ley
Waves.

\MARsHFIELD, Ore, Jan. p.-Another
tragedy Of the sea has been written into
the records OF marine disasters on the
grim North Pacific coast, through the loss
of the iron steamer Czarina, yesterday
afternoon on the north spit of the Coos
bay bar. with loss of thirty lives.
A solitary survivor Harry Kennel, first
assistant engineer of the wrecked vessel
is the only living testimonial to heroic
efforts made by the United States life
saving crew and citizens Of Marshfield to
help the doomed ships company.
Kentzel's escape last night is wonder
ful story of mans endurance and physical
strength. When the ship piled on the
rock, with six or seven others he took
to the rigging Of the foremast Sea after
sea smashed over the vessel, the decks
we're awash and wreckage was floating
about. Suddenly a tremendous sea swept
the ship and Kentzel and his companions
were washed from their places. Kentzel
was swept toward land, but time and
again he was carried out to sea by shift
ing currents He managed to get hold of
a piece Of timber and was slowly driven
shoreward.
AS ne neared the DeaCn ne COulu see
the rescuers. Then consciousness left him
and he knew nothing more until he came
to on the beach beside big fire, He had
been brought back to life after several
hours vigorous treatment He is in the
hands of physicians and tonight is on the
road to recovery. Kentzel lives In San
Francisco.
SIX Survive Night.
When darkness fell last night it was be-
lieved that all on board the Czarina were
lost. The boiling combers dashed over the
vessel and it seemed that no human being
could live through the terrible night But
when the first gleam of dawn came those
on the beach described six forms in the
rigging of the only remaining mast and
hope was renewed that the day would
bring their rescue. But the gale showed no
signs of abating. Suddenly one of the six
men dropped into the sea.
Soon aonther surrendered and then q
third was seen to fall into the water
A little later and the watchers on shore
saw through their glasses the last fight of
brave men facing death AS If by agree
ment they began to rid themselves of their
heavier clothing and then together they
sprang into the boiling sea. They were not
seen again
The identity of the six who survived the
terrible night never will be known defin-
itely. but it is believed they were Captain
c. ]. Duggan of San Francisco Second
Mate John McNichols of San Francisco,
First Officer James Hughes of San Fran
cisco, Harold Mills, the only passenger
son Of General Manager c. j. Mills of the
Southern Pacific company in MarshfieId
and two sailors.
Start Made in Storm.
The Czarina left here yesterday after
noon in the face of storm, bound for San
Francisco. 1t had braved many gales and
the commander apparently saw no reason
for delaying it's departure. He wished to
take advantage of the tide and steamed
slowly down the bay toward the bar, a few
Of young Mills friends and friends of
the crew remaining on the wharf to wit
/ ness its passage over the bar, which was
breaking badly.
Suddenly a series of big seas struck the
vessel pitching 1t about but It continued
to fight its way on toward the open sea-
Then something happened. What it was
Will never be known. The vessel appeared
to stop and sea after sea struck 1t, some
waves pIling over its decks. Then It be-
gan to drift rapidly toward the ugly North
| spit. 1t is probable that something went
wrong with the rudder, as the ship seemed
to be beyond control. Then it's anchor was
dropped but 1t would not hold, and with
its rudder out of commission and big seas
pounding 1t, the inevitable happened The
ship struck the spit and there 1t hung
Life Lines Fall short.
News OF the disaster spread quickly and
in a few moments the beach was lined
with people. The life saving crew was no
titled and tugboat was sent out, but no
boat could approach near the vessel and
keep afloat. The life saving crew made
several attempts to fire life lines over
the steamer, but all fell short. When dark
ness came virtually all hope that any
would be saved was abandoned.