Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-08-08
OCEAN KEEPS
DEAD OF THE
SHIP ALASKA
CONTINUED From Page one,)

her. Tiny children. distracted women
and those infrm with age owe to her
supervision and personal efforts their
safety.
"She worked as If inspired" said a
mother.
And the third hero shares his distinc
ton with his crew. Himself in danger
from the dense fog in which the Alaska
went to her fate and with the heavy tow
endangering the movements of his ship,
Captain Snoddy, of the Anyox, performed
miracle of the sea in reaching the
scene OF the wreck and taking from the
oil and wreckage strewn waters 1876 per
sons. Every boat and raft that had been
launched from the Alaska was picked up
and In addition men and women strug
Cling in the water were hauled 10 safety.
Credit due our crew for handling all
survivors without mishap," was the terse
ard modest manner in which Captain
Snoddy told Of his night Of heroism.
The search for the bodies Of those who
lost their lives is in progress. Hundreds
are watching along the rocky shores of
Cape Mendocino for the sea TO give up its
dead OFF Blunt's Reef, five miles out
from shore half a dozen small craft are
securing the surface of the ocean for
bodies
Only a partial list Of the victims Of the
disaster is available as yet.
Among the known victims were:
Thomas Johnston, Brooklyn: E. Pick
all Hubbard, Ore. A n. Hutchinson.
Portland, Ore; S. Kumazawa, 4 steerage
passenger and the following men bers OF
the crew.
Chief Steward Heane, Steward E. X
IL ing Frank
and an engine hand named Larsen.
Twelve bodies have been recovered and
thirty-six persons are reported missing.
SPEED COMPETITION
BLAMED FOR DISASTER.
Speed competition between coast7vise
vessels was blamed in marine circles for
the Alaska disaster. as well as for most
OF the other half hundred wrecks which
have strewn the reefs and headlands Of
the Pacific during the last twenty years.
In order TO save time. cOastwise passen-
ger ships hug close to the treacherous
shore line, instead Of keeping well out TO
sea.
When the treacherous fog Of Saturday
night crept down over the Pacific. Captain
HOvey lost sight Of the flashing signals
Of lighthouses that dot the dangerous
coast.
NeryOusly, according to Second Mate
Dupray, who was on watch with Cap
tain Hovey. the captain called him TO the
bridge and together they attempted to
determine the vessels position. They
were aware OF the nearness OF Blunts
Reef. Twice they altered the vessels
position in an effort to keep clear of the
reef.
Captain Hovey thought he heard the
Hghtship and sent Dupray TO the sound
ing Instruments In an effort to locate
from what direction 1t came. Dupray
VAS unable to get an accurate bearing on
the funeral whistle that momentarily sent
out its mournful warning
BOTTOM OF SHIP
RIPPED OUT.
Dupray hurried to the bridge and in
formed the captain Of his inability TO
locate the whistle. They again altered
the position Of the Alaska TO take her
farther out TO sen. Then came the
crashing and ripping as the bottom OF
the vessel, forward, was torn out. Water
poured into the hold IN a gushing food
The vessel lurcbed and began TO settle
Startled passengers rushed from their
stateroOms on 70 the darkened decks.
Amid the cries OF the terror-stricken and
the noise OF sharp called orders the
passeng gers donned life belt and took po-
sitions hy the lifeboats.
The ship began to list and the choppy
waves about the reef licked higher and
higher on the vessels side. Fearful men,
women and children chung to the fitting
rail- The lights went out as the pour
ing seas flooded the engine room.
Scattered members Of the crew, accord
ing to Norbert Van Wetter, storekeeper
on the Alaska, finally appeared at most
Of the lifeboAts. Many Of the he said,
were green at the work Of preparing the
boats and handling the davits. Canvas
covers Of the boats were ripped OF as
nervous fingers failed to unlash them.
INCOMPETENCE IL
HANDLING LIFE It0ATS.
Women and children. according to the
code OF the sea, We're given preference
in the boats. But there was insufficient
room for NIL. AS the life boats swung
out over the side OF the careening ship,
scenes Of incompetence and disorder
were reported.
The first two boats pulled away sue
cessfuIly, but stood by hoping 20 give
q finger hold to any who might become
frightened and jump.
John r. Clarke Of Escalon said two