The Washington herald., 1922-10-14
BAD WIRES FIRED
PACIFIC SHIP, SAYS
RESCUE DCAPTAIN
Crew and All Passengers
Near Home Aboard
Army Transport.

SAN FRANCISCO. Cal. Oct. 13.-
The nre which destroyed the
palatial liner, City of Honolulu, and
forced her passengers and crew to
abandon her in midocean. was
caused by defective deck wiring.
according to a report wirelessed
to officials of the Los Angeles
Steamship Company by Capt. Les
ter.
The loss is estimated at more
than s2.0O0,0O0. Federal shipping
inspectors will begin an investiga-
ton as soon as officers. crew and
passengers of the abandoned ves-
sci arrive here. 1t was announced
today. The passengers. officers
and crew tonight are safely aboard
the army transport Thomas, bound
for San Francisco. and more meager
Information about tine disaster con-
tinues to dribble in from the air
The City OF Honolulu Is a total
loss. Although she is still afloat
she Is not worth savaging. accord
ing to- reports OF Capt. Lester and
the captain OF the freighter West
Farallone, which rescued the drift
ing survivors.
May Sink Vessel.
The coast guard cutter Shawnee
is now en- route to the scene of
the wreck. If her officers believe
she is now worthless. no attempt
will be made to tow the vessel
into port. Instead, she will be
dynamited and sent to the bottom
so she may not become a danger
to ocean traffic.
Praise for the officers an crew OF
the City of onolulu was heard on
every hand in shipping circles to.
day. l.
crew Of the burned vessel removed
without injury. loss of life or brad
ship. but practically all of their
valuables and personal effects were
saved.
This is declared to be one Of the
few times in the history Of marine
disasters when passengers and crew
have been taken off without loss OF
thousands of dollars in personal ef-
fects and valuables.
The Thomas arrived at the scene
OF. the wreck shortly before avn. AS
soon as it was light the work OF
transferring passengers and crew
was begun.
iscomfort at Minimum.
The men, women and children who
had spent the night crowded to-
gether like shep aboard the West
Farrallone were Immediately In
stalled in quarters aboard the
Thomas where every thing was
done for their comfort. Ship doc
tors were ready to handle any suf.
fering from nervous strain or ex>
haustion but their assistance was
not required. Loss of sleep was the
principal discomfort suffered by
those who had spent the, night
aboard the freighter.
The fire on board the City of Homo
lulu was discovered shortly after
o'clock yesterday morning, according
to the report of Capt. Lester, and was
found to have gained considerable
headway In the second cabin. The
pumps were Immediately started. but
the fireh ad gained such headway
that heat soon interfered with the
machinery in the engine room and
the pump refused to work. An S o
call was then sent out and the last
Of the passengers and crew put into
the boats by o'clock Thursday.
The captain, first mate and chief
radio operator remained aboard the
blazing ship a short time longer be-
for abandoning her. Capt. Lester
highly commended the passengers.
He declared the women were cool.
calm and collected and that this fact
greatly facilitated the Decentralization
and suhad buant rescnA