Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-28
.HANALE| WRECK VICTIMS
ARE RESTORED TO LIFE
Thirteen Apparently Dead Resusci-
tated by Efforts OF Revenue
Cutters Men.
THRILLING STORY OF HERo1sM
Captain Alger, OF the McCulloch, Re-
ports Search Among Debris OF Lost
Steamer for Bodies OF Grow and
Passengers,

WASHINGTON. December 27.-How
thirteen apparently lifele9s victims of
the wreck OF the American steamer
iianalel-picked up the morning of No
rember 81. with many dead, from
wreckage strewn along shore and drift
ing to sea In an area of quarter OF
mile-were brought back to life and
consciousness, by the unremittent eff
forts Of their rescuers, Is cid In the
report or the services OF the revenue
cutter McCulloch, made ny Captain j.
a. Alser, commanding, to the revenue
cutter service. Tie report gives n do
tailed account of the McCulloch's ac-
tiVities on this occasion. and Is a thrill
ing story OF sea horror and heroisin.
me Hanalei was searched for by the
McCuiloch In an impenetr;iblc fog dur
ing the afternoon Of November %, and
located. although unseen, by the sound
or The steamers mechanical fogborn
about > o'clock. Unable 10 get near
her in the darkness that increased Into
BLACKLIST night, nc revenue cutter laid
TO until daybreak.
During the night the NlcCulloch took
aboard the crews or the Bonita and
OF the Fort Point life-sa wing station.
lhe Bonita station power boat, in
charge OF Keeper Nutter, towed the
disabled powerbCat OF the Fort Point
station alongside about o'clock The
keeper of the Fort Point station and
one surfman had been washed away
In EFFORTS to succor the Hnnalei and
were then supposed to have been lost
Both life-saving crews had been ex-
hnusted in the effort to aid the lima
lei Keeper Nutter informed Captain
Alger that the life savers had sighted
the wreck close inshore. but had been
unable to get near on account OF heavy
breakers and rocks outside. It was
agreed that nothing moro could he
done until daybreak.
Activities on shore were discerned
during the night. Bontires were to be
seen and guns could lie heard, lndica-
tive OF efforts to get lines to the wreck
by which TO rig breeches buoy.
The power lifeboats were made ready
for use. while awaiting daylight Of
icers and members of the crew of the
McCulloch volunteered with the life
boats to take tho place OF absent life
savers and to take charge OF the one
rations.
At daylight the wreck was visible
broken in pieces. on shore Offshore
Just outside the breakers, considerable
wrcckage WAS floating. The sea had
subsidized. and fuel oil from the tanks
or the wrecked vessel had smoothed
the breakers offshore.
All boats got into the breaker.
around the wreckage. and picked up
such of the living and dead an they
could locate and reach. The first boat
load OF survivors, was brought Off to
the vessel by the Bonita Point life
boat. Most of these were arterward
resuscitated. The McCulloch's boat.
also brought aboard the revenue cut
ter n number OF bodies Other corpse.
were put on board launch that was
aiding
THE sight OF these people, as they
were brought on board, was one thht
shall never forget" says Captain Al
ger, In his report. Their condition
was pitiable. All were covered with
thick film of fuel oil, their hair was
matted. their clothes were partly torn
OF, their faces and bodies bruised and
cut and the eyes of those who were
able 10 sit up stared without seeing
Their suffering must have been beyond
description"
All the bodies. as fast as brought
aboard, were carried into the cabin
The clothing was torn or cut off. Ar
tificial respiration wac then rcsorted
to. noses and throats cleared of tho
thick oil. limbs chafed and stimulo nts
administered. Those who responded
sufficiently to this treatment were
atted to suits OF underclothing and
warm socks from the ships locker. and
then wrapped In blankets and kent
perfectly quiet.
The thirteen survivors were carried
by the McCulloch to the dock at San
francisco. and thence removed to the
hospital. The coroner took charge OF
the fifteen dead, aboard, with their
properties. Two other bodies were
picked up by other agencies Thirtv-
one were rescued alive on the beach
There were forty-four survivors and
nineteen lives lost in this terrible sen
tragedy.