The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-02-18
Survivors
Tell Tale of
Hardships
NJ e m b ers of Shipwrecked
Crew Spend Weary Hours
ON Rocky Island Be-
fore Help Arrives
Suffer From Exposure

Seattle, Feb. 17.-R)-A story OF
long battle through thick fog and
heavy seas that eliminated in ship.
wreck On the barren coast Of Van
eouver island. Of long wait in bitter
cold and driving snow before rescue
finally came, was tod by supervisors
q the wrecked steamer Tuscan
Prince. on board the coast guard cut.
ter snohomish today. Their story was
flashed into Seattle By radio az the
snohomish neared the entrance TO
fae strait Of Juan de Fuca. on it's
Wy 10 Port Angeles. were the ship
wrecked men were to be landed late
tonight.
TIE Tuscan Prince. bound from
san francisco to Seattle with a cargo
d pig iron and coke. struck a reef
=. Village island. near Uclnelet, at
Thursday morning. At that time, ac-
eord.ng TO officers, the reckoned posi-
ton vas in deep water somewhere
south Of Cape Flattery.
Current Blamed for Error.
An unknown norfhwesterly current
md a series Of soundings, which.
when applied to the chart, gave
wrong position. were blamed by them
for the error in reckoning that re-
suited in disaster.
The Tuscan Prince hove 10 until
daylight should make navigation less
hazardous and menaeed by huge seas.
struck without warning. There was
brief call for help by radio, then
great wave smashed over the side and
put the wireless set out of commits.
sion. IN 10 minutes the vessel wa.
stranded and had broken IN two. Tn.
first wave carried away the pro
pelier and rudder.
Grinding on the rocks, the steamer
crashed over a ledge and wedged
tightly. Seas broke over the decks
carrying away the weather boats
Captain Milders ordered rockets and
fares sent up. but they were nof
seen. One OF the port boats wa.
launched. but was dashed ashore
almost INN ediateiy and DESTROYED.
It's one. occupant, a seaman. wa.
saved 10y being thrown On the beach
b. the waves.
Men Reach Shore.
The seaman carried a line zshc-e-
4 heavier line dragged 70 a vantage
point BY means o. The first one, en-
ablei those who desired to abandon
TIE wrecked vessel. Great difficulty
was encountered in surmounting a
rocky cliff. covered with shells that
eut the hands and feet OF the climb
+ ers.
The men managed 70 bring with
them as they left the vessel. a quaint
y Of food and water Fires were
lighted and then without shelter they
+ prepared 10 wait Ter rescue.
Their island prison was 100 yards
long and 80 yards wide. bush covered.
Day finally came and az low tide a
detail went back 70 the ship for more
f provisions Their rations were limited
+ 10 one biscuit and two ounces OF
canned meat each. They suffered
badly from exposure. for they had
F little clothing. Snow vas melted TO
furnish more water.
The day. they said. was heart break
Iins. Once small boat appeared and
the crew holsted signals and shouted
until their voices were hoarse. but
without avail. The beat passed by.
Rescue Boat sighted.
On Friday the men had about given
Up hope, As the day were en- without
F #sIsn of rescue. Soon a boa; was sight
i Cd and rescue was Al hand. The surf
boat of the lifesaving station at BAN
fed and the Snohonaish. summoned
: by a report that a japanese fisherman
+ had sighted the stranded vessel. had
hurried up the coast for near Co
T oaose. where the s. members OF the
f crew q another vessel. the Sants
+ Rita. wrecked in the same gale ths.
brought dstruction % the Tuscan
+ Prince. We're likewise huddled to-
E gelher on the beach. waiting for res
cue
~ nightfan II 81 tie Tuscan
+ Princes complement of "a officers and
men had been transferred 70 the Sno-
homish. the surf bat assisted by
lie seine boats Nahm.nt and China
f Hat. performing the actual work OF
transfer. Darkness made further
werk hazardous and the others re-
mainei on their island fer the night.
+ They were taken of today.
Then the Snohemish steamed for
+ Clo.0ose. where. st noon. the Santa
Hita's men were tsksn aboard, They
had previously been brought out to
the cutter Algonquin from the beach
Z IN small boats through the surf. One
was badly injured.