The Nome nugget. (Nome, Alaska) 1919-1934, 1924-09-06
WRECK OF THE ARCTIC
As TOLD BY THE
VESSELS CAPTAIN

The following story was given
the Nugget after an interview with
Captain John Bertonocini, master
of the motorship Arctic which was
recently wrecked by being crushed
in the Arctic ice pack 4 short dis
lance from PIT. Barrow on August
10th. The Arctic is owned by the
Liebes Company of San Francisco.
and has cargo capacity of about
1900 tons. carries 81 members as
her crew. Following is the story
from the time the vessel sailed
from Nome,
We left Nome June card enroutc
to Herschel Island via PIT Barrow
carrying supplies to the Liebes Co.
trading stations in the north, we
struck ice shortly after leaving
Nome, followed it up and laid too
ton days OF PIT. HOPE, was about
is miles from the L. s Cutter
Bear at one time off Cape Krusen-
strien, left Pit Hope in a lead and
again struck heavy ice OFF Cape
Lisborne which continued to block
our passage clear up to within l6
miles off PIT. Barrow. Tied up to
ice on July Goth and found Capt.
Petersens boat Nanuk. which was
also tied up to ice, he was in sight
four days before he finally was
able to proceed to eastward.
On the End day of August the
Maid of Orleans was sighted and
remained in sight for five days at
Dead Mans Island, where she had
run aground, finally getting afoat
and proceeding TO eastward. no
damage resulted IS far as known.
The schooner Orion of Nome. on
trading expedition, the party
consisting of Pete Brandt, John
Olson and Gus Massic were sighted
Orleans, they assisted the Maid in
getting underway, and both yes
sells being of light draft were able
to negotiate around the ice foes
and proceeded to eastward safely.
On the evening of August 3rd
tile Lady Kindersley tied up to the
same ice flow as the Arctic. about
quarter mile distant. On the
morning of August 4th both YES
sells had to let go from the ice.
The Arctic made shelter behind
some 4 >aavy 4 'onad ice where she
withstood cons4derable pressure.
The Lady Kinders1ey was unable
10 make to make any progress to-
wards this shelter and became
fast in the ice with damaged
rudder. the vessel finally drifting
past PIT. Barrow and to the east
ward from which the Kindersley
has not as vet been able to get
free from.
On the 5th the ice opened up
and we made an effort to reach
the Kindersley. but found it i'm
possible to get within 4 miles of
her. The same q aning the ice
shelter, where she was finally
wrecked. The vessel experience
three different pressures. two the
second day and on the 10th day
of August at 3:i5 am. another
was felt and at 3:4s the final pres
sure came which caused the yes
sci to leak, the stern was raised
IA inches hikher than usual. at
four O'Clock six inches of water
was in the engine room; at 4:30
the water put the auxiliary en-
gine, dynamos and wireless out of
commission. at BIS seven feet of
water in engine room. At this
tune Captain Berionccini ordered
the ship to be abandoned; took
personal effects. provisions, etc,
also passengers and crew in boats
on ice along side of vessel. At
noon the vessel had settled so that
her decks were under water.
Soundings showed FIVE fathoms
a. this point
Then the trip ashore was com
menced the distance being only a
mile an a half no difficulty was
experienced in arriving safely on
land Arrangements were made
with the motorship Boxer to take
the crew to Nome; Captain Ber-
tcnccini, the Chief Engineer and
Mr. Bert took passage on the Ted
dy Bear arriving in Nome Friday
morning, where they will await