Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-12-12
ALASKA LINER
STRANDED ON
BLEAK COAST
FEARS FOR SAFETY OF
OVER HUNDRED PEOPLE
interruption of Wireless Com
munication With Disabled
Vessel Gives Ground for Fear
That All Have PeriShed,

lBy Morning Journal Special Leased WlreI
Cordova, Alaska, Dec. 1.-THE
Alaska Steamship eompanys steamer
Olympia, with 100 persons aboard is
ashore on Sea Island. Prince William
Sound. A furious storm is raging.
No word has been received from the
wireless operator on the Olympia
since 3 a. M, and grave fears are en-
teftained for the safety OF those on
the wreck.
There are fifty-two passengers
aboard the Olympia, most OF them
whom boarded the vessel here last
night. Among those who sailed from
here for valdez and Seward are
United states District Judge Cush-
man and wife, and members of the
Third district court who are on their
way to Valdez where court convenes
tomorrow. The crew of the Olympia
consists of fifty-four officers and
men, Captain j. Daniels being in
command
The olympia sailed from Cordova
at 6 o'clock last night. having arrived
from Seattle earlier In the day. AL
though the night was clear and full
moon sheds a bright light, navigation
was made dangerous by fifty-mile
gale which was blowing from the
north.
Operator Hayes on the Olympia
sent an urgent appeal for help, say
ing that the Olympia had struck on
Blight Island and was in an exposed
position Heavy seas were breaking
over her, making the position of
those on board all the more perilous.
The message from the Olympia was
received with difficulty.
Men in charge of the naval wire-
less station express the opinion that
the grounding OF the vessel had in
some way caused short circuit
which interfered with the sending or
the wireless messages from the
steamer
In spite of this difficulty communi-
cation was maintained with the dis
abied ship until o'clock this morn
ing since which time no call has been
picked up from the ship. 1t is hoped
that the silence OF the wireless means
nothing more serious than the giving
out of the batteries or the breaking
Of the dynamo, but on account OF the
furious storm which is raging. the
most conservative are compelled to
admit that the interruption Of wire
less communication may mean that
the steamer has succumbed to the
pounding OF the waves.
Owing 10 the closing of the mill
tary cable office at night, assistance
could not be summoned from valdez,
only twenty miles distant. No tugs
were in the harbor here and II was
necessary TO telephone to katalla,
fifty miles east Of here, to get boat
that could go to the assistance of the
people The launch Cor
sair left Katalla early this morning.
Word was also sent to Seward, to the
westward, to dispatch the mall
steamer Dora to the Olympia's as
sistance. The Dora was due at
Seward early today and should al
ready be on the way to Blight Island.
owing to the difficulty with which
communication with the
Olympia was maintained Operator
Hayes was unable to give any details
the grounding OF the ves-
sell II is believed however, that her
machinery must have broken down.
leaving her at the mercy OF the
storm. Operator Hayes said that the
boats were ready for launching, but
hat the fury OF the storm made this
100 dangerous an undertaking ex-
sept as a last resort.
1t is believed the people VIII stay
~ the steamship until help arrives,
lnless they are forced to take to the
boats before the sinking OF the ship.
Included In the passengers of the
olympia when she sailed from mere
asst night were United states District
Judge Cushman and wife, Secretary l.
hamburger, wife and two children;
district Attorney George II. Walker
Assistant District Attorneys Guy Bru-
,aker and j. l.. Green. Stenographer
ION stewart, Clerk of Court l.. Nj.
akin, Deputy Clerk Thomas $ scott,
j. Hamilton, Deputy
iarshals j. II. d. Bouses and Brown,
II members Of Judge Cushman's
ourt.
Fears that the vessel had gone down
ith all on board was relieved when
10 o'clock this morning the naval
lreless operator received a faint call
ON Operator Hayes on the helpless
,ssell Hayes said the storm was
lntinuing with unabated fury. The
lympia was being tossed about by
Ie pounding waves. grinding her sides
sainst the rocks that held her prls-
Ter. This constant pounding OF the
Gamer made IL almost impossible TO
,erate the wireless.
Operator Hayes said that the pass
Igers and crew are still hopeful that
.lp will come before the ship goes
pieces. Huge waves continue TO
eak over her and the situation OF
e. passengers Is extremely serious.
Several vessels are no the way TO
e assistance OF the olympia and
me of them should reach the scene
the wreck before midnight Many
these are small craft and IL Is
ubtful n they will be able TO weather
e storm.