The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1916-05-26
Ho1iolulu Men !.
Were DroUned
With Roanoke
William Mitchell and William ].
Holland Lose Lives; D. C.
Mitchell Escapes

Two former Honolulans persisted in
the steamer Roanoke, lost of Califor.
mia week before last. They were vii.
liam Mitchell and William J. Holland
Their nsmes were In lists received by
mail yesterday morning ..,,.
D. c. Mitchell, first assistant engine.
or of the Roanoke, lost at sea Of Cali.
fornia week before last, had laid off
aud was not in her when she sank
He is a HonOlulan. His father, de.
ceased, was master of the Inter Island
steamer Kaiulani.
Two Relatives Drowned
But if Mr.. Mitchell escaped, his bro
Their and brother-in-law were lost. vii
liam Mitchell, younger brother, not &c
well known here as the elder, was ar
oiler in the Roanoke. He was born in
Honolulu. William J. Holland, second
assistant engineer, whose parents re-
sided here ten years ago, was lost. d
G.: Mitchell married Mr., \ HOLLAND I
Men familiar with shipping condi
lions in San Francisco declare that the
Roanoke left San Francisco in a condi
ton that caused wonder that she could
make the Golden Gate without turning
'ver. They base their belief on the
sact that the loading Of the boat wal
done by inexperienced steyedore,
and that she was listed to port badl,
as she left the pier. It is maintained
by shippers along the water front
that the gasoline and explosives should
have been loaded first and the general
cargo last. This would have allowed
the heavier part of the cargo to gC
into the hold, but would have caused
additional expense in the loading al
all of the cargo would have had TO bt
loaded in midstream from lighters.
Cargo Insured For SAFE. 900
The Investigation into the sinking
# the ship is in the hands of Inspec
tors of Hulls and Boilers James Guth
lie and Joseph p. DolRn. ss,a's.
The following report, which would
seem to substantiate the faulty load
ing theory, was received by Collector
If Custom" J. o. Davis Jof San Fran
:isco from Don R.rJacks, deputy col
lector at Port San Il uis:
Cargo of Roanoke shifted by heavy
seas, causing list. Forward hold filleG
with water. Vessel failed to right ant
continued sin king. Captain ordered
all hands to boats. -Four boats were
launched successfully; others swamp
ID. Boat rescued here was manned
~ eight, five dead and three living
I'riO will survive. Master and wife 70
orted by survivors to be lost.
"Launches and men on shore patrol
ing coast north and south. ShiT
lansing patrolled without results"
The cargo of the, Roanoke was in
100000, The insurance was placed il
New York, San Francisco and London
Big Explosive Cargo 49,"
The Roanoke, owned by the NORTH
Pacific Steamship Company, was max
ing her second trip.to the west coast
'nder charter to the, California Soutf
Sea Navigation Company. She carried
total of about $500 tons, including
200 tons of dynamiteJ the largest in
lividual shipment of this kind to leave
IAN Francisco.
Although the powder was stored il
he staterOOms and saloons after the
holds had been filed, there was no ex
loSon when the vessel turned turtle
'harles p. Doe, president of the NORTH
'acifc Steamship Company, declared
that extra precautions were taken il
oading the Roanoke on account of the
nature of the freight. According tc
Voc. the company valued the steamer
t $500 900, AS the sum had been offered
not long ago for the vessel. Before
leaving on her last trip the Roanoke
vas placed on drydock and after {
lose examination was found to be il
perfect condition.
In Pacific Trade
The Roanoke has been on the Pacific
Coast for many years, having operat
ed on the Alaska run for the Nortl
american Trading and Transportation
Company during the gold rush. Sh,
was later purchased by the Nortl
Pacific aud used in the trade along tn,
coast.