Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-12
161. TAKEN Off SHIP
IN PACIFIC STORM
CAPTAIN and 26 of Crew Stay
on VesseI-Loss of $780,
600 Expected.

By the Associated Press
Campbell RIVER, B. c., Decem-
her 1o.-Driven aground in raging
snowstorm, the liner Northwestern to-
dav was reported to he rapidly ming
with water. while Capt. Jock Living
stnn and &c of the crew remained
aboard after the 112 passengers and
"a Of the ship's personnel had been
rescued and taken to shelter in TINS
Summer resort The belief was eN-
pressed that the $3.50 600 vessel might
be a total loss
The Northwestern, bound from
Seattle to Alaska in the service or
the Alaska Steamship Co. was wreck
ed off Cape Nudge, at the entrance
of Seymour Narrows, 10 miles south
of here, about 5 o'clock yesterday
morning.
For seven hours the passengers,
most of whom were AlaSkans en-
route home from the States. anXlously
paced the decks Of the stricken YES
sci as a terrific easterly gale lash
ed the waters to a fury and sent
drenching spray over the ship. Water
rushing in through hole in the hull
filled two holds of the boat and flooded
the engine room. The S o of the
disabled craft sent rescue vessels
hurrving TO its aid from Victoria.
British Columbia. but the first to
reach the scene was the hallout
schooner Explorer.
Slowed i'm Fish Bins.
The passengers We're transferred to
the fishing boat and aboard If they
suffered the only discomfort OF the
shipwreck. The sea was so rough
that it was impossible to stay on the
decks of the halibut schooner, and
as a result the passengers were
"stowed away" in the bins in which
the fish usually are kept.
Upon their arrival at Campbell
River, the refugees were given ac-
commodations at tourist hotel. The
halibut boat later returned to the
Northwestern and brought back part
of the crew. True to the traditions
of the sea, Capt. Livingston decided
to stay aboard with IS of the crew
until daybreak, at least.
Edward G. Morrisey, publisher OF
the Chronicle at Ketchikan, Alaska,
and Associated Press correspondent,
said order prevailed among the pas
sengers throughout the rescue.
Mr.. Morrisey told of being awak-
ened by Mrs. Jane Warner. stew
ardess, who made her way about the
decks, rapping on doors and telling
passengers the ship was aground. She
advised them to dress hurriedly. but
assured them they were in no imme-
date danger. the publisher said.
Captain Gains Passengers.
"TTne passengers rushed on deck and
at first did not realize how serious the
situation was" Mr.. Morrisey con.
tinued. Although we We're in the
midst Of q bowling blizzard, Capt. j.
Livingston went about reassuring the
passengers that everything would be
all right and told them that at day.
break they would be put ashore.
"As the early gaunt hours of the
morning wore on the ship pounded ter
ribly, but fortunately did not cause
the lights to go out until daylight. At
daybreak the officers and crew put
line to shore, but landing was pre-
vented by the high sea and consider.
able driftwood.
EFT was nearly noon by the time all
of the boats were lowered into the
water. The sea by this time was wash.
ing the upper decks. Fortunately.
the halibut schooner Explorer was
going by"
The passengers are to be taken back
to Seattle by the steamship Alameda,
which was due here today.
Most OF the freight on the North
western probably will be damaged be-
yond salvage. Cattle, which We're in
danger of drowning when water
flooded the lower holds. were shot by
the crew.
The Northwestern, a steel steamer
Of 2.334 tons, left Seattle Saturday
morning for Alaska as far north as
Seward.
Mr.. Morrisey reported that while
most of the passengers showed
fatigue, all apparently were well. He
said that the stewards of the North
western took over the Kitchen Of he
Summer sresort hotel which had only
q few guess in Winter months. He
iatIded the woman passengers for their
fortitude, stating that at no, time was
there sign of hysteria and that they
followed orders closely.