West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-05-27
Judge Shaw Writes from California
Coronado. Cal, May srd. 1915.

coronado, Gal, May Srd, 1915.
Dear Argus; The Pacific coast has
been visited by gale OF unusual
force. The highest velocity here was
10 miles per hour. but ships that have
entered port since report velocity at
sea OF 100 miles per hour. The storm
lasted for fifty hours. one steamer
Victoria, OF the Mexican line. sprung
leak near the Coronado Islands and
sent out an :. q. :. The Anne, lean of
the Hawaiian line, passing at the time.
took on her passengers. but the can
tain and crew. eleven I'm all. refused to
leave the ship. During the night OF
Friday the Victoria dragged her an
chor and drifted south. The crew was
compelled To abandon her II miles
south of the islands and started under
canvass for this port When the men
were completely exhausted the life boat
was picked up by Capt. Keeney with
his fast launch Flyer and towed To the
quarantine station. The men wept
when they finally reached shore and
were welcomed by their families who
had given them up for lost. The shin
sank few minutes after being aban-
doned. She carried 75O sacks of
wheat from Enscnada. Great damarc
was done all along the coast. AT San
Ia Monica the piers washed out and
many buildings were washed away
NJ Ocean Beach. within the city. many
buildings were undermined and large
numbers of fish were washed into the
shores. Coronado did not suffer much
although waves thirty feet high beat
upon the sea wall IL was a great
sight but IL made one feel perfectly
satisfied TO he on land. Many vessels
are yet limping into port showing
that they have met with rough usage
We have had heavy rains which ia
very unsual in April. The storms an
pear to be over and today liz clear
and warm yet can look from NV win.
dow and see Is inches of snow upon
the Cuyamaca mountains. And II
even showed at Grossmont, 1G miles
from San Diego. The lowest temper.
ature here was 4G above, while our
warmest for the season was 20 above
Hay harvest is over and we are feast
ing on ripe cherries and strawberries
The exposition is aourIshng, the at
tendance is good. the hotels and apart-
ments are full and still the tourists
come.
In July the great armada OF Amer
lean battleships will arrive via the
Panama canal. An engineer of the
navy department was here and made n
survey of the harbor with view OF
future improvements. The government
coal bunkers near TT. Rosecerans are
finished and they are now working ON
an immense oil tank for fuel oil.
development work has begun i'm I'm
perial Valley for oil and gas. Years
ago they drilled for water i'm imperial
and at depth of 500 feet the gas
drove them out and they could not fin
ish the work. Now II will be given
thorough test. Work on the largest
radio station In the world is progress
sing on Cholcrs height just east OF the
city. The tower will be 600 feet high
Madame Schumann- Heinck is taking
summers rest at her palatial home
at Grossmont. Many noted singers
from all parts of the world are visiting
the exposition.
spent n very pleasant evening at
W. r. Shaw's on Golden Hill the guests
being Mr.. and Mrs. Geo. A. Walls. Mr..
and Mrs. Il. NJ. Heermans, Mr.. and
Mrs. birmingham and your humble ser
want All present were West Virgin
ians' except Mr.. Birmingham, who is
from Connecticut. hope to see many
West Virginians here during the sum
mcr
Your last issue brought the unwel
come news Of the death of my old
friend and ncighbor B. A. Conner. but
he had lived to a ripe old age and has
only preceded us, for death is the com
mon lot Of all.
with best wishes for all my friends.
] will ring off for this time.
J. NJ SHAW.