South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-05-11
Lone Survivors Battle Waves
SO Hours Until FraiI Craft
is Washed Aground Bring
ing News of Tragedy.
SHIFTING WEIGHT OF
CARGO BREAKS VESSEL
Tons of Wheat and Dynamite
Carried by Roanoke is
Cause of Disaster in
45-MiIe Gale.
InternationaI News service

international News Service.
SAN FRANCISCO, Calf. MAY II.
\ little open boat. storm battered
and almost sinking. washed ashore
on the rocky coast near Port san
Luis early today and brought to the
world the news of the Pacific's latest
tragedy. In the boat were the only
three survivors. il is believed. of the
steamer Roanoke, which broke I'M
two last Monday night and sunk
within a few minutes. taking To the
bottom with her from 40 To so per
sons. including Capt. Richard Dixon
and his wife.
The survivors, all scamen. were
half dead from exposure and eN-
haustiOn when they were dragged
from the boat. They had been i'm the
boat for SO hours, battling almost
constantly to keep their tiny craft
from following the Roanoke.
The Roanoke. an old San Fran
cisco passenger boat, sailed from
here last Monday night for South
American ports. She was heavily
laden with 10000 cases OF dynamite,
$50 tons of powder. 900 tons of
wheat. and general cargo.
The vessel ran into 45-mile gale
soon after leaving san Francisco.
Big waves climbed over her and a
cross sea battered her fearfuuy.
Ship Breaks i'm Two.
The strain on the cargo was ter
rife. The wheat began rolling in
ner hold and the tremendous waves
thrown up by the northwest gale did
the rest. The vessel soon broke in
two from the shifting weight. She
sank like a rock.
The Roanoke carried a crew Of
a. men. including the captain. Rich
ard Dixon. and his wife. I'm addition
there were several Mexicans who
were being deported.
The four life boats Of the old ves-
sci were hastily lowered but il is
feared that the only one saved is
the one washed ashore near Port
san Luis.
Launches today are combing the
sea for miles out searching for pos
Sihle survivors. but according 10 the
three men saved. it will likely be
fruitless search.
Capt. Dixon. according TO one Of
the survivors. gave his life i'm a futile
effort to rave Mrs Dixon She fell
overheard as the vessel Iurched
under the impact OF a heavy wave
and the captain dived after her
Neither was seen again.
Wireless calls have been sent out
from here 20 al vessels along tho
coast. notifying them OF the acct
dent and asking them 90 look on,
for additional survivors.
Mexicans Only Passengers
The Roanoke carried no passen-
gers with the exception of the Mex
leans who had been brought here
on the Roanoke's last trip north
The spot where the vessel went
down. It was said By the survivors.
is about 100 miles south of san
Francisco.
The three survivors are a waiter.
IN oiler and "a quartermaster. There
was no time. one of them said. 20
get food or water aboard the life
boats In view Of this. it is thought
that even should the other boats
have succeeded I'm getting away
from tho sinking ship their cccu-
pants must have persisted by this
ZINE as "a result OF exposure and
hardship
The three survivors had nothing
20 eat ON their perilous trip but "a
few pieces OF briny hard tack.